Pest control using natural pest control agent blends

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect of the present application, a composition for controlling a target pest comprises 0.1% to 4% isopropyl myristate, 0.1% to 15% thyme oil white, 0.1% to 2% geraniol, and at least one additional active ingredient selected from thymyl acetate, linalyl acetate, amyl butyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil, p-cymene, linalool, d-limonene, isopropyl myristate, lilac flower oil, methyl salicylate, alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thyme oil white, thyme oil red, thymol, vanillin, and wintergreen oil. The composition causes synergistic control of the target pest.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/936,133, filed Jan. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,501,247, which in turn is a U.S. National Stage entry under 35 U.S.C.§371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/037735, filed Mar. 19,2009, designating the United States of America and published in Englishon Sep. 24, 2009, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Application No.61/070,137, filed Mar. 19, 2008, U.S. Application No. 61/043,084, filedApr. 7, 2008, and U.S. Application No. 61/102,784, filed Oct. 3, 2008,each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to synergisticcompositions for controlling a target pest, and methods of using thesame. In addition, embodiments of the invention are directed to methodsof making and designing an improved agent for control of a target pest.

BACKGROUND

Various chemicals and mixtures have been studied for pesticidal activityfor many years with a goal of obtaining a product which is selective forinvertebrates such as insects and has little or no toxicity tovertebrates such as mammals, fish, fowl and other species and does nototherwise persist in and damage the environment.

Most of the previously known and commercialized products havingsufficient pesticidal activity to be useful also have toxic ordeleterious effects on mammals, fish, fowl or other species which arenot the target of the product. For example, organophosphorus compoundsand carbamates inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase in insectsas well as in all classes of animals. Chlordimeform and relatedformamidines are known to act on octopamine receptors of insects buthave been removed from the market because of cardiotoxic potential invertebrates and carcinogenicity in animals and a varied effect ondifferent insects. Other compounds, which can be less toxic to mammalsand other non-target species, are sometimes difficult to identify.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a composition for controlling atarget pest, wherein the composition includes at least two activeingredients selected from the group consisting of thymyl acetate,linalyl acetate, amyl butyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil,p-cymene, geraniol, isopropyl myristate, d-limonene, linalool, lilacflower oil, methyl salicylate, alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonylalcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thyme oil white, thyme oil red, thymol,vanillin, and wintergreen oil, wherein the composition causessynergistic control of the target pest.

In some embodiments, the target pest is an endoparasite, and thecomposition includes at least two active ingredients selected from thegroup consisting of alpha-pinene, thymol, para-cymene, linalool, thymylacetate, and linalyl acetate. In some embodiments, the compositionincludes at least three active ingredients selected from the group. Insome embodiments, the composition includes alpha-pinene, thymol,para-cymene, and linalool. In some embodiments, the composition includesalpha-pinene, para-cymene, thymyl acetate, and linalyl acetate.

In some embodiments, the endoparasite is a flatworm. In someembodiments, the flatworm is Hymenolepsis nana.

In some embodiments, the endoparasite is a roundworm. In someembodiments, the roundworm is Ascaris suum or Toxocara canis.

In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in the composition inan amount within a range of 1-10%, the composition includes thymol orthymol acetate in an amount within a range of 20-75%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 2%-50%, and linalool or linalyl acetate in anamount within a range of 3%-40%. These percentages can be in terms ofweight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in the composition inan amount within a range of 4%-8%, the composition includes thymol orthymol acetate in an amount within a range of 30-65%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 4%-40%, and linalool or linalyl acetate in anamount within a range of 6%-30%. These percentages can be in terms ofweight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the active ingredients are encapsulated using anencapsulating agent. In some embodiments, the encapsulating agent isselected from the group consisting of zein and shellac, or a combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the target pest is an ectoparasite, and thecomposition includes at least two active ingredients selected from thegroup consisting of amyl butyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil,p-cymene, geraniol, isopropyl myristate, d-limonene, linalool, lilacflower oil, methyl salicylate, alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonylalcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thyme oil white, thyme oil red, thymol,vanillin, and wintergreen oil.

In some embodiments, the ectoparasite is at least one selected from thegroup of: a flea, a tick, a mosquito, a thrip, and a fly. In someembodiments, the ectoparasite at least one selected from the groupconsisting of Ctenocephalides felis, Dermacentor andersoni,Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Aedes aegypti, and Stomoxys calcitrans.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of geraniol, d-limonene, linalool, piperonal,tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin. In some embodiments, where geraniol ispresent in the composition within a range of 3%-30%, the compositionincludes d-limonene in an amount within a range of 7%-30%, linalool inan amount within a range of 4%-20%, piperonal in an amount within arange of 2%-25%, tetrahydrolinalool in an amount within a range of6%-22%, and vanillin in an amount within a range of 0.3%-1.5%. Thesepercentages can be in terms of weight percentage or in volumepercentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of amyl butyrate, anise star oil, and thymeoil white. In some embodiments, where amyl butyrate is present in thecomposition within a range of 15%-30%, the composition includes anisestar oil in an amount within a range of 40%-65%, and thyme oil white inan amount within a range of 15%-30%. These percentages can be in termsof weight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are thyme oilwhite and wintergreen oil. In some embodiments, where thyme oil white ispresent in the composition within a range of 10-30%, the compositionincludes wintergreen oil in an amount within a range of 25%-55%. Thesepercentages can be in terms of weight percentage or in volumepercentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of d-limonene, lilac flower oil, and thyme oilwhite. In some embodiments, where d-limonene is present in thecomposition within a range of 15%-35%, the composition includes lilacflower oil in an amount within a range of 30%-55%, and thyme oil whitein an amount within a range of 20%-40%. These percentages can be interms of weight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of alpha-pinene, thymol, para-cymene, andlinalool. In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in thecomposition in an amount within a range of 1-10%, the compositionincludes thymol in an amount within a range of 25-45%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 20%-35%, and linalool in an amount within arange of 2%-15%. These percentages can be in terms of weight percentageor in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of d-limonene, linalool, piperonal, piperonylalcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin. In some embodiments, whered-limonene is present in the composition within a range of 5%-15%, thecomposition includes linalool in an amount within a range of 10%-25%,piperonal in an amount within a range of 15%-30%, piperonyl alcohol inan amount within a range of 5%-15%, tetrahydrolinalool in an amountwithin a range of 10%-30%, and vanillin in an amount within a range of0.5%-5%. These percentages can be in terms of weight percentage or involume percentage.

In embodiments of the invention, an antiparasitic formulation isprovided, wherein the antiparasitic formulation includes the compositionof any of the foregoing, and wherein the composition is present within arange of 1%-30%, with the balance of the formulation containing asolvent or surfactant.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to a method of treating aparasitic infestation in a subject, wherein the method includesadministering to the subject an effective amount of any of the foregoingcompositions or an antiparasitic formulations that contains any of theforegoing compositions.

Embodiments of the invention can also relate to the use of any of theforegoing compositions for the manufacture of a medicament for treatingor preventing parasitic infection.

In embodiments of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition isprovided, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains apharmaceutically adequate carrier or diluent and a sufficient amount ofany of the foregoing compositions.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of making animproved agent for control of a target pest, the method including:providing a complex agent comprising a plurality of fractions; isolatingat least a first fraction of the agent; screening the first fractionusing a screening system containing at least one invertebrate receptorto obtain a first screening result; comparing the first screening resultwith a second screening result, wherein the second screening resultincludes an outcome of a screening of the complex agent against the atleast one invertebrate receptor, and wherein the first and secondscreening results are indicative of a potential activity against thetarget pest; and changing a characteristic of the complex agent, therebymaking the improved agent, wherein the changing is based uponinformation obtained from at least one of the screening step and thecomparing step.

In some embodiments, the first screening result includes a value that ishigher than that of the second screening result, and the changingincludes increasing a relative amount of the first fraction.

In some embodiments, the first screening result includes a value that islower than that of the second screening result, and the changingincludes decreasing a relative amount of the first fraction.

In some embodiments, the first fraction can include a single activeingredient.

In some embodiments, the changing step includes: obtaining a chemicalanalog or derivative of the active ingredient; screening the analog orderivative against the invertebrate receptor, wherein the screeningresults are indicative of potential activity against the target pest,thereby identifying an active analog or derivative of the activeingredient. In some embodiments, the changing step can further includecombining the active analog or derivative with the complex agent.

In some embodiments, the chemical analog or derivative is a chemicalanalog that is an isomer of the active ingredient. In some embodiments,the chemical analog or derivative is a chemical derivative of the activeingredient.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isan organic-group containing derivative of the active ingredient.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isalkylated derivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, thealkylated derivative is a methylated, ethylated, propylated, butylated,cerylated, decylated, heptylated, hexylated, myricylated, myristyl,nonlyated, octylated, palmitylated, pentylated, stearylated,isopropylated, isobutylated, lignocerylated, pentacosylated,heptacosylated, montanylated, nonacosylated, pentan-2-ylated,isopentylated, 3-methylbutan-2-ylated, tert-pentylated, neopentylated,undecylated, tridecylated, pentadecylated, margarylated, nonadecylated,arachidylated, henicosylated, behenylated, tricosylated, cyclobutyl, orcyclopropyl derivative.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isan arylated derivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments,the arylated derivative is a phenylated or biphenyl-4-ylatedderivateive.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isa halogenated derivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments,the halogenated derivative of the active ingredient is a fluorinated,chlorinated, brominated, or iodinated derivative of said activeingredient.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isan alkenylated derivative. In some embodiments, the alkenylatedderivative is an oleylated, allylated, isopropenylated, vinylated,prenylated, or phytylated derivative.

In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient isa hydroxylated derivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments,the chemical derivative of the active ingredient is a thiolatedderivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, the chemicalderivative of the active ingredient is a carboxylated derivative of theactive ingredient. In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of theactive ingredient is an amidated derivative of the active ingredient. Insome embodiments, the chemical derivative of the active ingredient is anaminated derivative of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, thechemical derivative of the active ingredient is an esterified derivativeof the active ingredient. In some embodiments, the chemical derivativeof the active ingredient is an acylated derivative of the activeingredient. In some embodiments, the chemical derivative of the activeingredient is a sulfonated derivative of the active ingredient.

In some embodiments, the changing step further includes identifying asecond active analog or derivative of an active ingredient and combiningthe active analog or derivative with the second active analog orderivative. In some embodiments, the changing step further includescombining the active analog or derivative of the active ingredient withan active ingredient of the complex agent. In some embodiments, thechanging step further includes combining the active analog or derivativeof the active ingredient with a second complex agent. In someembodiments, the changing step further includes combining the activeanalog or derivative of the active ingredient with an active ingredientidentified in a second complex agent. In some embodiments, the changingstep further includes combining the active analog or derivative of theactive ingredient with an active analog or derivative of an activeingredient identified in a second complex agent. In some embodiments,the changing step further includes combining the active analog orderivative of the active ingredient with a fraction of the complexagent.

In some embodiments, the first fraction can contain a plurality ofingredients.

In some embodiments, the method further includes isolating a secondfraction from said complex agent, wherein the changing of acharacteristic of the complex agent includes combining the first andsecond fractions.

In some embodiments, the changing of a characteristic of the complexagent includes combining the first fraction with a second complex agent.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: isolatingat least a third fraction from the first fraction; screening the thirdfraction in a second screening step using said screening system toobtain a third screening result; comparing the third screening resultwith a fourth screening result in a second comparing step, wherein thefourth screening result includes an outcome of a screening of theimproved agent against at least one invertebrate receptor, and whereinthe third and fourth screening results are indicative of a potentialactivity against the target pest; and changing a characteristic of theimproved agent to make a further improved agent, wherein the changing isbased upon information obtained from at least one of the secondscreening step and the second comparing step.

In some embodiments, the changing of a characteristic of the complexagent includes combining the first fraction with a fraction of a secondcomplex agent.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to an improved agent that ispotentially active against a target pest, wherein the improved agentcontains at least one modification as compared to a starting agent, andwherein the modification produces a change in activity with respect tothe activity of said starting agent, and wherein the activity includesan activity upon at least one invertebrate receptor, and whereinactivity upon the receptor is indicative of potential activity againstthe target pest.

In some embodiments, the starting agent is a complex agent. In someembodiments, the starting agent is a fraction of a complex agent.

In some embodiments, the change in activity with respect to the activityof the starting agent is an increase in activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, describedbelow, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intendedto limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating Ca2+ mobilization in cells expressing aDrosophila tyramine receptor in response to treatment with Blend 27.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating shows Ca2+ mobilization in cellsexpressing a Drosophila tyramine receptor in response to treatment withBlend 27 or individual components of Blend 27, all administered at 0.5mg/mL.

FIG. 3 illustrates Ca2+ mobilization in cells expressing a Drosophilatyramine receptor in response to treatment with Blend 27 (“Armor leadblend”) or individual components (“Chemical A”, “Chemical B”, “ChemicalC”, “Chemical D”) of Blend 27, where the individual components areadministered in concentrations that reflect the % (v/v) in which theyare found in Blend 27.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the synergistic effect of the individualcomponents of Blend 27 (“B7001”) when combined in the blend on themortality of the endoparasite Ascaris suum.

FIG. 5 is a series of tables illustrating the in vitro effect of Blend27 (“B7001”) on the control of the endoparasite Ascaris suum as measuredin in vitro assays.

FIG. 6 is a bar graph illustrating the synergistic effect of Components1-5 on the cure when combined in Blend 27 on the cure rate of theendoparasite H. nana in animals.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the experimental protocol used to study theeffect of Blend 27 on treating mice infected with the endoparasite H.nana.

FIG. 8 is a table illustrating the effect of administered amount andduration of treatment using Blend 27 for the treatment and prevention ofH. nana infection in mice.

FIG. 9 is a table showing the in vivo cure rate of differentadministered doses of encapsulated formulations of Blend 27 fortreatment of H. nana infection in mice.

FIG. 10 is a table showing the in vivo treatment (in terms of eggreduction) of different administered doses of encapsulated formulationsof Blend 27 (“Armor Blend (B7001)”) for treatment of H. nana infectionin mice.

FIG. 11 is a table showing the effect of Blends 11A (“25b/4a (B5028)”)and 8 (“25b/4b”) on the mortality of the ectoparasite Ctenocephalidesfelis (cat flea) on different test surfaces.

FIG. 12 is a bar graph illustrating the effect of Blend 75 (“F-4002”) atdifferent concentrations on the mortality of the ectoparasiteCtenocephalides felis (cat flea) at 1, 2 and 4 hours after exposurecompared to a commercial brand at the same comparison concentrations.

FIG. 13 is a bar graph illustrating the effect of Blend 75 (“F-4002”) atdifferent concentrations on the mortality of the ectoparasiteDermacentor andersoni (wood tick) at 1, 2 and 4 hours after exposurecompared to a commercial brand at the same comparison concentrations.

FIG. 14 is a bar graph illustrating the effect of Blend 75 (“F-4002”) at2.5% (v/v) on the mortality of the ectoparasite Dermacentor andersoni(wood tick) at 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours after exposure compared to acommercial brand at the same comparison concentration.

FIG. 15 is a bar graph illustrating the residual effect of Blend 75(“F-4002”) at different concentrations on the mortality of theectoparasite Dermacentor andersoni (wood tick) at 72 hours afterexposure compared to a commercial brand at the same comparisonconcentrations.

FIG. 16 is a table illustrating the effect of various blends on themortality of ectoparasites Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) andRhipicephalus sanguineus (tick) compared to a commercial blend at thesame comparison concentration.

FIG. 17 is a bar graph illustrating the repellency of differentformulations of Blend 4 (“XL101”) on the ectoparasite Aedes aegypti at0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours post-treatment compared to a commercial brand atthe same comparison concentration.

FIG. 18 is a bar graph illustrating the duration of repellency ofdifferent skin cream formulations of Blend 4 (“CAR-01”) on theectoparasite Aedes aegypti compared to a commercial brand at the samecomparison concentration.

FIG. 19 are bar graphs illustrating the effect of various blends (Blends11B and 8) on the knockdown and mortality of thrips at variousconcentrations.

FIG. 20 is a table illustrating the kill efficacy of various blends inspray formulation at 30 minutes and 4 hours post-exposure on ticks.

FIG. 21 is a table illustrating the residual activity of various blendscompared to a commercial formulation.

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of a screening methodusing a transfected cell line expressing a receptor of interest.

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating a saturation binding curve of³H-tyramine to the membrane fractions of S2 cells expressing a tyraminereceptor (“Tyr^(R)”).

FIG. 24 is a graph showing an inhibition binding curve of ³H-tyramine tothe membrane fractions of S2 cells expressing a tyramine receptor(“Tyr^(R)”).

FIG. 25 is a graph showing the effect of tyramine on intracellularcalcium levels (“[Ca²⁺]_(i)”) in S2 cells that are transfected with aplasmid encoding a tyramine receptor (“pAC-TyrR”) or with an emptyvector control plasmid (“pAC”).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide compositions forcontrolling a target pest.

Embodiments of the invention include compositions for controlling atarget pest, which can include one or more plant essential oils andmethods for using these compositions. The plant essential oils, whencombined, can have a synergistic effect. The compositions also caninclude a fixed oil, which is typically a non-volatile non-scented plantoil. Additionally, in some embodiments, these compositions can be madeup of generally regarded as safe (GRAS) compounds. In some embodiments,the composition contains at least two active ingredients selected fromthe group consisting of: thymyl acetate, linalyl acetate, amyl butyrate,anise star oil, black seed oil, p-cymene, geraniol, isopropyl myristate,d-limonene, linalool, lilac flower oil, methyl salicylate, alpha-pinene,piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thyme oil white, thymeoil red, thymol, vanillin, and wintergreen oil.

The target pest can be selected from, for example, the group consistingof a fungus, a plant, an animal, a moneran, a protist, and the like. Thetarget pest can be an arthropod species, such as, for example, aninsect, an arachnid, or an arachnoid. The target pest can be a speciesbelonging to an animal order, such as, for example, Acari, Anoplura,Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Grylloptera,Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Isopoda, Isoptera, Lepidoptera,Mantodea, Mallophaga, Neuroptera, Odonata, Orthoptera, Psocoptera,Siphonaptera, Symphyla, Thysanura, Thysanoptera, and the like. Inpreferred embodiments of the invention, the target pest is a parasite.In some embodiments, the target pest is an endoparasite. In someembodiments, the target pest is an ectoparasite.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of screeningcompositions for pest-control potential, compositions for controllingpests, and methods for using these compositions.

As used herein, “pests” can mean any organism whose existence it can bedesireable to control. Pests can include, for example, bacteria,cestodes, fungi, insects, nematodes, parasites, plants, and the like.

As used herein, “pesticidal” can mean, for example, antibacterial,antifungal, antiparasitic, herbicidal, insecticidal, and the like.

For purposes of simplicity, the term “insect” shall be used in thisapplication; however, it should be understood that the term “insect”refers, not only to insects, but also to mites, spiders, and otherarachnids, larvae, and like invertebrates. Also for purposes of thisapplication, the term “pest control” shall refer to having a repellanteffect, a pesticidal effect, or both. “Repellant effect” is an effectwherein more insects are repelled away from a host or area that has beentreated with the composition than a control host or area that has notbeen treated with the composition. In some embodiments, repellant effectis an effect wherein at least about 75% of insects are repelled awayfrom a host or area that has been treated with the composition. In someembodiments, repellant effect is an effect wherein at least about 90% ofinsects are repelled away from a host or area that has been treated withthe composition. “Pesticidal effect” is an effect wherein treatment witha composition causes at least about 1% of the insects to die. In thisregard, an LC1 to LC100 (lethal concentration) or an LD1 to LD100(lethal dose) of a composition will cause a pesticidal effect. In someembodiments, the pesticidal effect is an effect wherein treatment with acomposition causes at least about 5% of the exposed insects to die. Insome embodiments, the target pest is a non-insect, such as a parasite.

Embodiments of the invention can be used to control parasites. As usedherein, the term “parasite” includes endoparasites and ectoparasites.Endoparasites include, but are not limited to, protozoa, includingintestinal protozoa, tissue protozoa, and blood protozoa. Ectoparasitesinclude, but are not limited to, roundworms, worms, ticks, fleas, liceand other organisms found on an external orifice or found on or in askin surface.

In some embodiments, the pesticidal effect is an effect whereintreatment with a composition causes at least about 10% of the exposedpests to die. In some embodiments, the pesticidal effect is an effectwherein treatment with a composition causes at least about 25% of thepests to die. In some embodiments the pesticidal effect is an effectwherein treatment with a composition causes at least about 50% of theexposed pests to die. In some embodiments the pesticidal effect is aneffect wherein treatment with a composition causes at least about 75% ofthe exposed pests to die. In some embodiments the pesticidal effect isan effect wherein treatment with a composition causes at least about 90%of the exposed pests to die.

In some embodiments of the invention, treatment with compositions of theinvention will result in a knockdown of the target pest occurring withina few seconds to a few minutes. “Knockdown” is an effect whereintreatment with a composition causes at least about 1% to display reducedmobility. In some embodiments, the knockdown is an effect whereintreatment with a composition causes at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%,25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of the exposed pests to die. In someembodiments, the knockdown is an effect wherein treatment with acomposition causes at least about 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, or 95% of the exposed pests to die.

The compositions of the present invention can be used to control targetpest by either treating a host directly, or treating an area in whichthe host will be located, for example, an indoor living space, outdoorpatio or garden. For purposes of this application, host is defined as aplant, human or other animal. In some embodiments, the host is aninsect.

Treatment can include use of a oil-based formulation, a water-basedformulation, a residual formulation, and the like. In some embodiments,combinations of formulations can be employed to achieve the benefits ofdifferent formulation types.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to compositions forcontrolling insects and methods for using these compositions.Compositions of the present invention can include any of the followingoils, or mixtures thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to compositions forcontrolling insects and methods for using these compositions.Compositions of the present invention can include any of the followingoils, or mixtures thereof.

Exemplary Active Ingredients

Methyl salicylate, also known as betula oil. Methyl salicylate is amajor component of oil of wintergreen and is sometimes referred tointerchangeably with oil of wintergreen. It is a natural product of manyspecies of plants, is the methyl ester of salicylic acid, and can beproduced chemically from the condensation reaction of salicylic acid andmethanol. Some of the plants producing it are called wintergreens, hencethe common name. Methyl salicylate can be used by plants as a pheromoneto warn other plants of pathogens (Shulaev, et al. (Feb. 20, 1997)Nature 385: 718-721). The release of methyl salicylate can also functionas an exopheromone aid in the recruitment of beneficial insects to killthe herbivorous insects (James, et al. (August 2004) J. Chem. Ecol.30(8): 1613-1628). Numerous plants produce methyl salicylate includingspecies of the family Pyrolaceae and of the genera Gaultheria andBetula. It is noted that, where a given blend or formulation or othercomposition is disclosed herein as containing wintergreen oil, analternative embodiment, containing methyl salicylate in place ofwintergreen oil, is also contemplated. Likewise, where a blend orforumlation of other composition includes methyl salicylate, analternative embodiment, containing wintergreen oil, is alsocontemplated.

Thyme Oil is a natural product that can be extracted from certainplants, including species from the Labiatae family; for example, thymeoil can be obtained from Thymus vulgaris (also known as, T. ilerdensis,T aestivus, and T. velantianus), generally by distillation from theleafy tops and tender stems of the plant. Two commercial varieties ofThyme oil are recognized, the ‘red,’ the crude distillate, which is deeporange in color, and the ‘white,’ which is colourless or pale yellow,which is the ‘red’ rectified by re-distilling. Thyme oil principallycontains the phenols thymol and carvacrol, along with borneol, linalool,and cymene, and rosmarinic and ursolic acids. Where an embodimentdescribes the use of thyme oil white, other embodiments are specificallycontemplated in which the thyme oil white is replaced by thyme oil red,thymol, carvacrol, borneol, linalool, cymene, rosmarinic acid, ursolicacid, or a mixture of any of these with each other or with thyme oilwhite. Particularly preferable are mixtures of thyme oil white and thymeoil red that contain 10% or less thyme oil red, more preferably 5% orless, and most preferably 1%.

Thymol is a monoterpene phenol derivative of cymene, C₁₀H₁₃OH, isomericwith carvacrol, found in thyme oil, and extracted as a white crystallinesubstance. It is also known as hydroxycymene and5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) phenol. Where an embodiment describes the useof thymol, other embodiments are specifically contemplated in which thethymol is replaced by carvacrol, thyme oil white, thyme oil red, or amixture of any of these with each other or with thyme oil white.

Black seed oil is obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa. Its chiefconstituents are carvone, α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, and p-cymene, aswell as the fatty acids myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid,stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidicacid. Where an embodiment describes the use of any form of black seedoil, other embodiments are specifically contemplated in which the blackseed oil is replaced by d-carvone, l-carvone, a racemic mixture ofd-carvone and l-carvone, α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, or p-cymene, or amixture of any of these with each other, with any of myristic acid,palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleicacid, linolenic acid, or arachidic acid or with any form of black seedoil.

Linalool is a naturally-occurring terpene alcohol chemical found in manyflowers and spice plants. It is also known as3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol. It has two stereoisomeric forms:(S)-(+)-linalool (known as licareol) and (R)-(−)-linalool (known ascoriandrol). Linalool can be obtained as linalool coeur (a racemicmixture, CAS number 78-70-6), or in preferred derivative forms such astetrahydrolinalool (the saturated form), ethyl linalool, linalylacetate, and pseudo linalyl acetate (7-octen-2-ol,2-methyl-6-methylene:acetate). Where an embodiment describes the use ofany form of linalool, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the linalool is replaced by licareol, coriandrol,tetrahydrolinalool, ethyl linalool, linalyl acetate, pseudo linalylacetate, or a mixture of any of these with each other or with any formof linalool. Similarly, where an embodiment describes the use oftetrahydrolinalool, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the tetrahydrolinalool is replaced by licareol, coriandrol,racemic linalool, ethyl linalool, linalyl acetate, pseudo linalylacetate, or a mixture of any of these with each other or withtetrahydrolinalool. Additionally, where an embodiment describes the useof ethyl linalool, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the ethyl linalool is replaced by licareol, coriandrol,tetrahydrolinalool, racemic linalool, linalyl acetate, pseudo linalylacetate, or a mixture of any of these with each other or with ethyllinalool. Finally, where an embodiment describes the use of linalylacetate, other embodiments are specifically contemplated in which thelinalyl acetate is replaced by licareol, coriandrol, tetrahydrolinalool,racemic linalool, ethyl linalool, pseudo linalyl acetate, or a mixtureof any of these with each other or with linalyl acetate.

Geraniol, also called rhodinol and 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol, is amonoterpenoid and an alcohol. It is the primary part of oil-of-rose andpalmarosa oil. It is used in perfumes and as a flavoring. It is alsoproduced by the scent glands of honey bees to help them marknectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrances to their hives. Geraniolcan be obtained in a highly pure form as Geraniol Fine, FCC (FoodChemicals Codex grade), which is 98% minimum pure geraniol and 99%minimum nerol and geraniol. Geraniol can be also be obtained, forexample, as Geraniol 60, Geraniol 85, and Geraniol 95. When Geraniol isobtained as Geraniol 60, Geraniol 85, or Geraniol 95, then about fortypercent, fifteen percent, or five percent of the oil can be nerol. Nerolis a monoterpene (C₁₀H₁₈O), the cis-isomer of geraniol, which can beextracted from attar of roses, oil of orange blossoms and oil oflavender. Citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal or lemonal) is the genericname for the aldehyde form of nerol and geraniol, and can be obtainedfrom lemon myrtly, Litsea cubeba, lemongrass, Lemon verbena, lemon balm,lemon, and orange. The E-isomer of citral is known as geranial or citralA. The Z-isomer is known as neral or citral B. Where an embodimentdescribes the use of any form of geraniol, other embodiments arespecifically contemplated in which the geraniol is replaced by anotherform of geraniol (such as Geraniol Fine FCC or any geraniol/nerolmixture), nerol, geranial, neral, citral, or a mixture of any of thesewith each other or with any form of geraniol. Similarly, Where anembodiment describes the use of any form of citral, other embodimentsare specifically contemplated in which the citral is replaced by a formof geraniol (such as Geraniol Fine FCC or any gernaiol/nerol mixture),nerol, geranial, neral, or a mixture of any of these with each other orwith citral.

Vanillin (also known as methyl vanillin, vanillic aldehyde, vanilin, and4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is the primary component of the extractof the vanilla bean. In addition to vanillin, natural vanilla extractalso contains p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillic acid, piperonal, andp-hydroxybenzoic acid. Synthetic vanillin is used as a flavoring agentin foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Where an embodiment describesthe use of vanillin, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the vanillin is replaced by natural vanilla extract,p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillic acid, piperonal, ethyl vanillin, orp-hydroxybenzoic acid, or a mixture of any of these with each other orwith vanillin.

Isopropyl myristate is the ester of isopropanol and myristic acid; it isalso known as 1-tetradecanoic acid, methylethyl ester, myristic acidisopropyl ester, and propan-2-yl tetradecanoate. Where an embodimentdescribes the use of isopropyl myristate, other embodiments arespecifically contemplated in which isopropyl myristate may be replacedby similar chemicals such as isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl isothermal,putty stearate, isostearyl neopentonate, myristyl myristate, decyloleate, octyl sterate, octyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, or PPGmyristyl propionate, or a mixture of any of these with each other orwith isopropyl myristate.

Piperonal (heliotropine, protocatechuic aldehyde methylene ether) is anaromatic aldehyde that comes as transparent crystals, C₈H₆O₃, and has afloral odor. It is used as flavoring and in perfume. It can be obtainedby oxidation of piperonyl alcohol. Where an embodiment describes the useof piperonal, other embodiments are specifically contemplated in whichpiperonal may be replaced by piperonyl alcohol,3,4-methylenedioxybenzylamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymandelonitrile,piperonylic acid, piperonyl acetate, piperonylacetone,piperonylideneacetone, piperonyl isobutyrate, piperonyl butoxide,piperonylglycine, or protocatecheuic acid or a mixture of any of thesewith each other or with piperonal. Similarly, where an embodimentdescribes the use of piperonyl alcohol, other embodiments arespecifically contemplated in which piperonyl alcohol may be replaced bypiperonal, 3,4-methylenedioxybenzylamine,3,4-methylenedioxymandelonitrile, piperonylic acid, piperonyl acetate,piperonylacetone, piperonylideneacetone, piperonyl isobutyrate,piperonyl butoxide, piperonylglycine, or protocatecheuic acid, or amixture of any of these with each other or with piperonyl alcohol.

The pinenes encompass the isomeric forms α-pinene and β-pinene; both areimportant constituents of pine resin. Important pinene derivativesinclude the bicyclic ketones verbenone and chrysanthone. Where anembodiment describes the use of α-pinene, other embodiments arespecifically contemplated in which α-pinene may be replaced by β-pinene,verbenone, or chrysanthone, or a mixture of any of these with each otheror with α-pinene. Where an embodiment describes the use of β-pinene,other embodiments are specifically contemplated in which β-pinene may bereplaced by α-pinene, verbenone, or chrysanthone, or a mixture of any ofthese with each other or with β-pinene.

Cymene is a monoterpene-related hydrocarbon, consisting of a benzenering substituted with a methyl group and an isopropyl group. Thepara-substituted form occurs naturally and is a component of oil ofcumin and thyme. The ortho- and meta-substituted also exist, but areless common. Where an embodiment describes the use of p-cymene, otherembodiments are specifically contemplated in which terpinolene may bereplaced by o-cymene or m-cymene, or a mixture of any of these with eachother or with p-cymene.

Other ingredients, including but not limited to black seed oil, borneol,camphene, carvacrol, β-caryophyllene, triethyl-citrate, p-cymene,hedion, heliotropine, hercolyn D, lilac flower oil, lime oil, limonene,linalool, ethyl-linalool, tetrahydro-linanool, α-pinene, β-pinene,piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, α-terpinene, tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone,α-thujene, and triethyl citrate can also be included in the compositionsof the present invention.

In addition, the use of several long-chain aldehydes, such as octanal,nonanal, decanal, and dodecanal. Where an embodiment describes the useof one such aldehyde, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the designated aldehyde is replaced with any of the otheraldeydes, or a mixture of any of these aldehydes with each other or withthe designated aldehyde.

Tocopherols are a class of chemicals consisting of various methylatedphenols, some of which have vitamin E activity. These includeα-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol. Alsobelonging to this family are the tocotrienols, including α-tocotrienol,β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, and δ-tocotrienol. In preferredembodiments, mixtures of these compositions, such as tocopherol gammatenox or Tenox GT, are employed. Where an embodiment describes the useof one tocopherol, other embodiments are specifically contemplated inwhich the designated tocopherol is replaced with any of the othertocopherols, or a mixture of any of these tocopherols with each other orwith the designated tocopherol.

Certain mixtures of liquefied hydrocarbons, such as propellants A-46,A-70, or 142A may be used as propellants in embodiments of spraymixtures. Where an embodiment describes the use of one propellant, otherembodiments are specifically contemplated in which the designatedpropellant is replaced with any of the other propellant, or a mixture ofany of these propellants with each other or with the designatedpropellant.

In certain exemplary compositions of the invention that include lilacflower oil, one or more of the following compounds can be substitutedfor the lilac flower oil: tetrahydrolinalool; ethyl linalool;heliotropine; hedion; hercolyn D; and triethyl citrate. In certainexemplary compositions of the invention that include black seed oil, oneor more of the following compounds can be substituted for the black seedoil:alpha-thujene:alpha-pinene; Beta-pinene; p-cymene; limonene; andtert-butyl-p-benzoquinone. In certain exemplary compositions of theinvention that include thyme oil, one or more of the following compoundscan be substituted for the thyme oil: thymol, α-thujone; α-pinene,camphene, β-pinene, p-cymene, α-terpinene, linalool, borneol,β-caryophyllene, and carvacrol. In certain exemplary embodiments of theinvention that include methyl salicylate, oil of wintergreen can besubstituted for the methyl salicylate. In certain exemplary embodimentsof the invention that include oil of wintergreen, methyl salicylate canbe substituted for the oil of wintergreen.

D-limonene is the main odour constituent of citrus (plant familyRutaceae), and is found in, among other citrus oils, lemon oil, limeoil, and orange oil. Where an embodiment describes the use ofd-limonene, other embodiments are specifically contemplated in which thed-limonene is replaced by lemon oil, orange oil, lime oil, citrus oil,1-limonene, or dipentene (the racemic mixture of d-limonene and1-limonene).

Oils used to prepare the exemplary compositions of the present inventioncan be obtained commercially.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention also can include isopropylmyristate, which is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid, isused as a thickening agent and emollient.

In those compositions including more than one oil, each oil can make upbetween about 0.1%, or less, to about 99%, or more, by weight, of thecomposition mixture. For example, one composition of the presentinvention comprises about 1% thymol and about 99% geraniol. Optionally,the compositions can additionally comprise a fixed oil, which is anon-volatile non-scented plant oil. Fixed oils useful in theformulations of the present invention include, but are not limited to,castor oil, corn oil, cumin oil, mineral oil, olive oil, peanut oil,safflower oil, sesame oil, and soy bean oil.

In some embodiments, the pest control composition can include at leastone of methyl salicylate, thyme oil, thymol, and/or geraniol. In otherexemplary embodiments, pest control compositions include at least two ofmethyl salicylate, thyme oil, thymol, and/or geraniol. In otherexemplary embodiments, pest control compositions according to theinvention include methyl salicylate, thymol, and geraniol.

In some embodiments, the pest control composition can include at leasttwo active ingredients selected from the group consisting of thymylacetate, linalyl acetate, amyl butyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil,p-cymene, geraniol, isopropyl myristate, d-limonene, linalool, lilacflower oil, methyl salicylate, alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonylalcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thyme oil white, thyme oil red, thymol,vanillin, and wintergreen oil.

In some embodiments, the pest control composition can include at leasttwo active ingredients selected from the group consisting ofalpha-pinene, thymol, para-cymene, linalool, thymyl acetate, and linalylacetate. In some embodiments, the pest control composition can includeat least three active ingredients selected from the group. In someembodiments, the composition includes alpha-pinene, thymol, para-cymene,and linalool. In some embodiments, the composition includesalpha-pinene, para-cymene, thymyl acetate, and linalyl acetate.

In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in the composition inan amount within a range of 1-10%, the composition includes thymol orthymol acetate in an amount within a range of 20-75%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 2%-50%, and linalool or linalyl acetate in anamount within a range of 3%-40%. These percentages can be in terms ofweight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in the composition inan amount within a range of 4%-8%, the composition includes thymol orthymol acetate in an amount within a range of 30-65%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 4%-40%, and linalool or linalyl acetate in anamount within a range of 6%-30%. These percentages can be in terms ofweight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the pest control composition can include at leasttwo active ingredients selected from the group consisting of amylbutyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil, p-cymene, geraniol, isopropylmyristate, d-limonene, linalool, lilac flower oil, methyl salicylate,alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thymeoil white, thyme oil red, thymol, vanillin, and wintergreen oil.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of geraniol, d-limonene, linalool, piperonal,tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin. In some embodiments, where geraniol ispresent in the composition within a range of 3%-30%, the compositionincludes d-limonene in an amount within a range of 7%-30%, linalool inan amount within a range of 4%-20%, piperonal in an amount within arange of 2%-25%, tetrahydrolinalool in an amount within a range of6%-22%, and vanillin in an amount within a range of 0.3%-1.5%. Thesepercentages can be in terms of weight percentage or in volumepercentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of amyl butyrate, anise star oil, and thymeoil white. In some embodiments, where amyl butyrate is present in thecomposition within a range of 15%-30%, the composition includes anisestar oil in an amount within a range of 40%-65%, and thyme oil white inan amount within a range of 15%-30%. These percentages can be in termsof weight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are thyme oilwhite and wintergreen oil. In some embodiments, where thyme oil white ispresent in the composition within a range of 10-30%, the compositionincludes wintergreen oil in an amount within a range of 25%-55%. Thesepercentages can be in terms of weight percentage or in volumepercentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of d-limonene, lilac flower oil, and thyme oilwhite. In some embodiments, where d-limonene is present in thecomposition within a range of 15%-35%, the composition includes lilacflower oil in an amount within a range of 30%-55%, and thyme oil whitein an amount within a range of 20%-40%. These percentages can be interms of weight percentage or in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of alpha-pinene, thymol, para-cymene, andlinalool. In some embodiments, where alpha-pinene is present in thecomposition in an amount within a range of 1-10%, the compositionincludes thymol in an amount within a range of 25-45%, para-cymene in anamount within a range of 20%-35%, and linalool in an amount within arange of 2%-15%. These percentages can be in terms of weight percentageor in volume percentage.

In some embodiments, the at least two active ingredients are selectedfrom the group consisting of d-limonene, linalool, piperonal, piperonylalcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin. In some embodiments, whered-limonene is present in the composition within a range of 5%-15%, thecomposition includes linalool in an amount within a range of 10%-25%,piperonal in an amount within a range of 15%-30%, piperonyl alcohol inan amount within a range of 5%-15%, tetrahydrolinalool in an amountwithin a range of 10%-30%, and vanillin in an amount within a range of0.5%-5%. These percentages can be in terms of weight percentage or involume percentage.

While embodiments of the invention can include active ingredients,carriers, inert ingredients, and other formulation components, preferredembodiments begin with a primary blend. A primary blend is preferably asynergistic combination containing two or more active ingredients and,optionally, additional ingredients. The primary blends can then becombined with other ingredients to produce a formulation. Accordingly,where concentrations, concentration ranges, or amounts, are givenherein, such quantities typically are in reference to a primary blend orblends. Thus, when a primary blend is further modified by addition ofother ingredients to produce a formulation, the concentrations of theactive ingredients are reduced proportional to the presence of otheringredients in the formulation.

In preferred blends, methyl salicylate can be included at aconcentration of between 10% or less to 60% or more; at a concentrationof between 15%-50%; at a concentration of between 20%-45%; or at aconcentration of about 39% by weight.

Thymol can be included at a concentration of between 5% or less to 40%or more; at a concentration of between 15%-25%; or at a concentration ofabout 20% by weight.

Thyme Oil can be included at a concentration of between 5% or less to40% or more, at a concentration of between 15%-25%, or at aconcentration of about 20% by weight. Geraniol can be included at aconcentration of between 5% or less to 40% or more, at a concentrationof 15%-25%, or at a concentration of about 20% by weight.

In exemplary embodiments, the pest control formulation also includesisopropyl myristate at a concentration of between 10-30%, morepreferably 15-25%, and most preferably about 20%. Vanillin is included,preferably at a concentration between 0.5 and 4%, most preferably about1%.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, thymol is present in crystalform. By using the crystal form, the more volatile components of thepest control composition are stabilized and remain in the area requiringpest control for a longer period. This is explained in U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/799,434, filed May 10, 2006 which is incorporated inits entirety herein by reference. Of course, other components can beincluded to stabilize the pest control composition. The stabilizer canbe a crystal powder, dust, granule or other form which provides anabsorption surface area for the pest control composition. Other plantessential oils that are crystalline at room temperature and can be usedas stabilizers in formulations of the invention include but are notlimited to cinnamic alcohol crystals, salicylic acid crystals, cedrolcrystals, piperonal crystals, piperonyl alcohol crystals,(s)-cis-verbenol crystals and DL-menthol crystals which are allcrystalline at room temperature. Another stabilizer that can be used isa crystal of Winsense WS-3, cyclohexanecarboxamide,N-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl) and Winsense WE-23,(N-2,3-trimethy-2-isopropylbutamide) and the like. Another usefulstabilizer is talc powder.

In order to produce the stabilized formulation, the stabilizer and theinsect-control composition are mixed to allow the stabilizer to becomecoated with the composition as described in U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/799,434, mentioned above.

The compositions of the present invention can comprise, in admixturewith a suitable carrier and optionally with a suitable surface activeagent, plant essential oil compounds and/or derivatives thereof, naturaland/or synthetic, including racemic mixtures, enantiomers,diastereomers, hydrates, salts, solvates and metabolites, etc.

A suitable carrier can include any carrier in the art known for plantessential oils, provided the carrier does not adversely effect thecompositions of the present invention. The term “carrier” as used hereinmeans an inert or fluid material, which can be inorganic or organic andof synthetic or natural origin, with which the active compound is mixedor formulated to facilitate its application to the container or cartonor other object to be treated, or to facilitate its storage, transportand/or handling. In general, any of the materials customarily employedin formulating repellents, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, aresuitable. The compositions of the present invention can be employedalone or in the form of mixtures with such solid and/or liquiddispersible carrier vehicles and/or other known compatible active agentssuch as other repellants, pesticides, or acaricides, nematicides,fungicides, bactericides, rodenticides, herbicides, fertilizers,growth-regulating agents, etc., if desired, or in the form of particulardosage preparations for specific application made therefrom, such assolutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, pastes, and granules whichare thus ready for use. The compositions of the present invention can beformulated or mixed with, if desired, conventional inert pesticidediluents or extenders of the type usable in conventional pest controlagents, e.g., conventional dispersible carrier vehicles such as gases,solutions, emulsions, suspensions, emulsifiable concentrates, spraypowders, pastes, soluble powders, dusting agents, granules, foams,pastes, tablets, aerosols, natural and synthetic materials impregnatedwith active compounds, encapsulating agents, microcapsules, coatingcompositions for use on seeds, and formulations used with burningequipment, such as fumigating cartridges, fumigating cans and fumigatingcoils, as well as ULV cold mist and warm mist formulations, etc.

Exemplary encapsulating agents can include, but are not limited to, gumarabic, dextrins, low viscosity modified starches, arabinogalactan, gumacacia, casein, gelatin, carboxymethyl cellulose, tragacanth, karaya,sodium alginate, tannin, celluloses, zein shellac, or mixtures thereof

The compositions of the present invention can further comprisesurface-active agents. Examples of surface-active agents that can beemployed with the present invention, include emulsifying agents, such asnon-ionic and/or anionic emulsifying agents (e.g., polyethylene oxideesters of fatty acids, polyethylene oxide ethers of fatty alcohols,alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, albumin hydrolyzates,etc., and especially alkyl arylpolyglycol ethers, magnesium stearate,sodium oleate, etc.); and/or dispersing agents such as lignin, sulfitewaste liquors, methyl cellulose, etc.

In some embodiments, water-based formulations are preferred. Althoughoil-based formulations of insect-control agents are generally moreeffective, water-based formulations have the advantage that they do notleave behind an oily residue on treated surfaces. Preparation ofwater-based formulations for pest control are disclosed in U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/747,592, filed May 18, 2006, which isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

In some embodiments, water-based formulations are provided wherein waterand a surfactant comprise between about 1% to about 99%, by weight, ofthe composition mixture. For example, one composition of the presentinvention comprises about 1% water and surfactant and about 99% of acomposition, including: about 39% Methyl salicylate; about 20% Thymol(crystal); about 20% Geraniol 60; and about 1% Vanillin. For anotherexample, one composition of the present invention comprises about 50%water and surfactant and about 50% of a composition, including: about39% Methyl salicylate; about 20% Thymol (crystal); about 20% Geraniol60; and about 1% Vanillin.

The surfactant of the water-based formulation is provided to facilitatemixture of the insect-control composition with the water. The surfactantmay include an end having a carboxyl group, which will face the watermolecules, and a hydrocarbon end, which will face an oil component ofthe insect-control composition. As such, the surfactant allows the waterand the oil component of the composition to be mixed to form anemulsion. Various surfactants may be used in the formulation of thepresent invention, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, anionic),chlorhexidine (CLH, cationic), and Poloxamer 407 (POL407, nonionic),Sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), Sodium cholate, Sodium deoxycholate,N-Lauroylsarcosine, Lauryldimethylamine-oxide (LDAO),Cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB), Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate,or mixtures thereof.

The solvent of the water-based formulation serves to reduce thewater-oil surface tension of the emulsion. By reducing this surfacetension, the oil spots are more readily dispersed in the water, and athin film of the oil-water mixture is allowed to form on the treatedsurfaces, which surfaces may include areas within a household, outdoorareas, plants and the insects themselves. The solvent may also serve asa carrier and a synergist. The solvent may assist in fast penetrationthrough the cell membrane of an insect being controlled to ensure thearrival of sufficient active ingredients to the site of action. Varioussolvents may be used, for example, isopar M, isopar C, or mixturesthereof.

To produce the water-based formulation, the insect-control compositioncontaining one or more plant essential oils is mixed with water tocreate a slurry. The surfactant is then added to create certainembodiments of the water-based formulation. To create other embodimentsof the water-based formulation, the solvent is then added. The finalconcentration of the insect-control composition in the formulation maybe, for example, about 10-25%. The final concentration of the surfactantin the formulation may be, for example, about 1-10%. The finalconcentration of the solvent in the formulation may be, for example, 0to about 10%. Some embodiments of the present invention arecharacterized by rapid killing, e.g., kill-on-contact, and someembodiments are characterized by residual effects, i.e., formulationremains on treated surface affecting pest control for an extended periodof time. In the case of the embodiment characterized by residualeffects, it should be noted that the solvent-component of theformulation is not necessary. In such embodiments of the invention, theformulation includes: water, an insect-control composition, asurfactant, and a stabilizer, such as the one described in the patentapplication entitled, “Formulations of Insect-Control Compositionshaving Residual Activity and Methods for Production and Use Thereof,”filed on May 10, 2005. Such embodiments may optionally include thesolvent described herein.

Once the water-based formulation has been prepared, it may be applied toa desired area to affect pest control in that area. Once applied, itwill form a thin film on the treated surfaces, adhering thereto andproviding effective pest control. The formulation may be applied to thearea in a variety of manners known in the art, for example, theformulation may be prepared as an aerosol or trigger spray.

In some embodiments, a mixture of an pest control composition thatincludes one or more plant essential oils with a carrier is provided.For example, embodiments of the present invention can include a carrierhaving a surface area, with the insect-control composition coated on thesurface area of the carrier. The carrier may be, for example, crystals,powder, dust, granules or the like, which provides an absorption surfacearea for the insect-control compositions. One example of a carrier thatcan be used in accordance with the present invention is diatomaceousearth (DE). DE is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that is easilycrumbled into a fine powder. This powder has an abrasive feel, similarto pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity.Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type ofhard-shelled algae.

In some embodiments, the carrier and the insect-control composition aremixed to allow the carrier to become coated with the composition. Insome embodiments of the invention, after the carrier has been coatedwith the insect-control composition to form the formulation, theformulation can be applied to a desired area to affect pest control inthat area. Because the carrier reduces the volatility of theinsect-control composition, the composition will remain active in thedesired area for an amount of time that is greater than the time thecomposition, alone, i.e., unformulated composition, would remain in thedesired area. As such, the formulation continues to provideinsect-control after the time by which the composition, alone, wouldhave volatilized.

In some embodiments, the pest control compositions can be combined withone or more synthetic pesticides such as a pyrethroid, a chloronicotinylinsecticide, and a neonicotinoid. For example, the pest control blendscan be combined with deltamethrin, clothianidin, or imidacloprid. Thesynthetic pesticides can be obtained commerically.

Embodiments of the present invention can be used to control insects bytreating an area directly. For example, the area can be treated byspreading the formulation, for example, manually, automatically, with afertilizer spreader, or the like.

The compositions of the present invention can be used to control insectsby either treating a host directly, or treating an area in which thehost will be located. For example, the host can be treated directly byusing a cream or spray formulation, which can be applied externally ortopically, e.g., to the skin of a human. A composition can be applied tothe host, for example, in the case of a human, using formulations of avariety of personal products or cosmetics for use on the skin or hair.For example, any of the following can be used: fragrances, colorants,pigments, dyes, colognes, skin creams, skin lotions, deodorants, talcs,bath oils, soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners and styling agents.

The compositions of a select number of specifically contemplatedembodiments of the present invention, which includes exemplarysynergistic blends, are shown in Table 1. This table provides exemplarycombinations of ingredients for useful blends in accordance with theinvention. In many cases a particular ingredient is listed veryspecifically such as, for example, with reference to a CAS number and/orparticular modifiers of the basic name of the ingredient. Such specificlistings are non-limiting examples of types of ingredients, and similaringredients (such as, for example, with different CAS numbers and/orvariant forms of the type of ingredient) can be substituted within thescope of certain embodiments of the invention.

Table 1 also provides an exemplary range of amounts of each ingredientexpressed as a weight/weight percentage of the listed blend. Theexemplary range for each ingredient in each blend is provided as anumber in the fourth column indicating a value at the low end of suchexemplary range, and in the fifth column indicating a value at the highend of such exemplary range. The provided ranges are exemplary; otheruseful ranges exist and are expressly within the scope of certainembodiments on the invention. Namely, other high and low amountsdefining other useful ranges and/or amounts of the listed ingredients,can include 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 75%, 85%,95%, 110%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 750%, 900%,or 1000% of the amount listed as the low amount and/or the high amount,with the caveat that the relative percentage of any given ingredientcannot exceed 99.99% of the total blend of ingredients.

TABLE 1 BLENDS CAS Registry low high Compounds Number % % Blend 1 LFO 430 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 8 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 20 Blend 65 899 Blend 2 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 9 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 20Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 4 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 5 Vanillin121-33-5 0.06 0.3 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 5 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 5 [Heliotropine] Blend 66 8 99 Geraniol Fine FCC106-24-1 0.1 4 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-0 0.1 5 Blend 3 D-Limonene5989-27-5 45 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 10 Blend 66 5 30 Blend 630.1 10 Blend 4 LFO 30 99 BSO 977017-84-7 15 99 Blend 5 BSO 977017-84-715 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 6 40 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 8 45Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 5 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 10 55 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 20 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.125 Blend 6 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 25 BSO 977017-84-7 15 85 LinaloolCoeur 78-70-6 0.1 25 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 25 Vanillin 121-33-50.1 3 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 30 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-00.1 10 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.1 15 MethylSalicylate 119-36-8 8 70 98% Nat Blend 7 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 90Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 15 99 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 4 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 20 99 Blend 8 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 20 99 Thyme OilWhite 8007-46-3 0.1 25 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 25 99 Blend 9 LFO 6 40D-Limonene 5989-27-5 25 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 5 30 Linalool Coeur78-70-6 0.1 3 Citral 5392-40-5 0.1 20 gamma-terpinene 99-85-4 0.1 20Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 5 alpha-Terpineol 98-55-5 0.1 15Terpinolene 586-62-9 0.1 15 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 0.1 5 Linalyl Acetate115-95-7 0.1 6 Beta Pinene 127-91-3 0.1 6 Camphor Dextro 464-49-3 0.050.3 Terpinene 4 OL 562-74-3 0.05 0.3 Alpha Terpinene 99-86-5 0.1 6Borneol L 507-70-0 0.1 3 Camphene 79-92-5 0.1 2 Decanal 112-31-2 0.060.3 Dodecanal 112-54-9 0.06 0.3 Fenchol Alpha 512-13-0 0.005 0.1 GeranylAcetate 105-87-3 0.06 0.3 Isoborneol 124-76-5 0.08 1 2-Methyl 1,3-cyclo-30640-46-1, 0.08 1 hexadiene 1888-90-0 Myrcene 123-35-3 0.1 3 Nonanal124-19-6 0.005 0.08 Octanal 124-13-0 0.005 0.2 Tocopherol Gamma 54-28-40.005 0.08 (TENOX ®) Blend 10 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 25 Thyme OilWhite 8007-46-3 0.1 25 Blend 65 40 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 6Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 8 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.08 0.6 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 0.1 8 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 8[Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.1 4 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-00.1 8 Blend 11 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 3 65 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-915 99 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 20 99 Blend 12 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 530 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 8 40 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 15 99 Vanillin121-33-5 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 15 85 Piperonal (aldehyde)120-57-0 5 30 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 5 30 Blend 13D-Limonene 5989-27-5 5 30 Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 5 30 Blend 62 50 99Blend 14 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 5 30 Blend 72 55 99 Blend 15 D-Limonene5989-27-5 5 30 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 10 55 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-310 65 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 4 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 10 60Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 10 65 [Heliotropine] Piperonyl Alcohol495-76-1 0.1 25 Blend 16 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 5 30 BSO 977017-84-7 15 80Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 5 30 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 6 35 Vanillin121-33-5 0.1 4 Mineral Oil White (USP) 8042-47-5 8 45 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 8 45 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 15[Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.1 20 Blend 17 D-Limonene5989-27-5 10 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 10 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-30.1 10 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.08 0.6 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 10 [Heliotropine] Piperonyl Alcohol495-76-1 0.1 5 Blend 66 10 99 Blend 18 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 15Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 20 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 2 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 0.1 20 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 20[Heliotropine] Piperonyl Alcohol 495-76-1 0.1 10 Blend 66 40 99 Blend 19LFO 20 99 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 15 85 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 90Blend 20 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 15 85 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 95Blend 63 20 99 Blend 21 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 15 85 Thyme Oil White8007-46-3 15 90 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 15 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-30.1 25 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 2 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 25Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 25 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC106-24-1 0.1 10 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-0 0.1 25 Blend 22 Phenyl EthylPropionate 20 99 Methyl Salicylate 20 99 Blend 43 15 85 Blend 23D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 10 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 15 BenzylAlcohol 100-51-6 8 50 Isopar M 64742-47-8 10 65 Water 7732-18-5 25 99Blend 63 0.1 15 Stock 10% SLS Solution 0.1 10 Blend 24 D-Limonene5989-27-5 0.1 10 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 15 Linalool Coeur 78-70-60.1 3 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 4 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.05 0.3Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 4 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 4[Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.1 2 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-00.1 4 Benzyl Alcohol 100-51-6 8 50 Isopar M 64742-47-8 10 65 Water7732-18-5 25 99 Stock 10% SLS Solution 0.1 10 Blend 25 D-Limonene5989-27-5 6 40 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 8 45 Benzyl Alcohol 100-51-6 3099 Blend 63 10 55 Blend 26 LFO 0.1 25 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 8 99 ThymeOil White 8007-46-3 0.1 20 Blend 66 8 99 Blend 27 Linalool Coeur 78-70-60.1 20 Soy Bean Oil 8016-70-4 10 70 Thymol (crystal) 89-83-8 20 99Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 10 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 15 85 Blend 28Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 25 Thymol (crystal) 89-83-8 25 99Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 15 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 20 99 Blend 29D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 25 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 30 Blend 65 3599 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 8 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 10Vanillin 121-33-5 0.08 1 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 5 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.15 Blend 30 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 15 85 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 15Methyl Salicylate 35 99 Blend 31 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 5Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 6 Span80 1338-43-8 0.1 2 Isopar M 64742-47-8 8 45 Water 7732-18-5 40 99Bifenthrin 83657-04-3 0.005 0.2 Blend 32 Castor Oil hydrogenated - 30 99PEO40 Lemon Grass Oil - India 10 70 Blend 1 10 70 Blend 33 LFO 8 50D-Limonene 5989-27-5 35 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 6 35 BSO977017-84-7 0.1 15 Blend 34 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 25 Thyme Oil White8007-46-3 0.1 30 Blend 65 30 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 5Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 8 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.06 0.5 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 0.1 8 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 8[Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.1 4 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-00.1 8 Isopar M 64742-47-8 8 40 Blend 35 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 2099 Wintergreen Oil 25 99 Blend 68 10 60 Blend 36 Wintergreen Oil68917-75-9 25 99 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 20 99 Thyme Oil Red8007-46-3 10 60 Blend 37 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 25 99 Vanillin121-33-5 0.06 0.3 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 20 99 Thyme Oil Red8007-46-3 10 60 Blend 38 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 95 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 25 99 Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 10 70 Blend 39Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 25 99 Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 10 70Blend 68 20 99 Blend 40 Orange Terpenes 68647-72-3 0.1 25 Blend 68 0.130 Blend 69 35 99 Blend 71 6 40 Blend 41 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 10 70Amyl Butyrate 540-18-1 10 70 Anise Star Oil 30 99 Blend 42 Thyme OilWhite 8007-46-3 15 75 Amyl Butyrate 540-18-1 10 70 Anise Star Oil 30 99Blend 43 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 10 70 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 4Hercolyn D 8050-15-5 0.1 15 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 8 45 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 25 [Heliotropine] Ethyl Linalool 10339-55-6 1070 Hedione 24851-98-7 0.1 20 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-0 5 30 Dipropyleneglycol 246-770-3 0.1 25 (DPG) Blend 44 Blend 63 25 99 Thyme Oil White 3099 Blend 45 Linalool coeur 78-70-6 0.1 20 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.125 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 2 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 30 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 30 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 0.115 Triethyl citrate 77-93-0 0.1 30 Thyme Oil White 30 99 Blend 46 PhenylEthyl Propionate 10 55 Benzyl Alcohol 100-51-6 30 99 Methyl Salicylate10 55 Blend 43 8 40 Blend 47 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 75 AmylButyrate 540-18-1 10 70 Anise Star Oil 30 99 Genistein 0.005 0.1 Blend48 Linalool coeur 78-70-6 10 70 Amyl Butyrate 540-18-1 10 70 Anise StarOil 30 99 Thyme Oil White 0.005 0.1 Blend 49 LFO 10 70 BSO 977017-84-710 70 Benzyl Alcohol 100-51-6 30 99 Blend 50 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 10 70 Wintergreen oil 15 90 Thyme oil white 8 40 Myristicin 1599 Blend 51 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 15 80 Wintergreen oil 15 95Isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0 0.1 10 Thyme oil white 8 40 Myristicin 15 75Blend 52 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 20 99 Wintergreen oil 25 99 Thymeoil white 10 60 Genistein 0.001 0.1 Blend 53 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 20 99 Wintergreen oil 20 99 Isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0 5 30Thyme oil white 8 50 Genistein 0.001 0.1 Blend 54 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 10 70 Wintergreen oil 15 90 Thyme oil white 8 40 Genistein0.001 0.1 Myristicin 15 99 Blend 55 Mineral oil white 8042-47-5 20 99Wintergreen oil 25 99 Thyme oil white 10 60 Blend 56 Mineral oil white8042-47-5 10 50 Wintergreen oil 10 65 Thyme oil white 5 30 Benzaldehyde30 99 Blend 57 Mineral oil white 8042-47-5 10 55 Wintergreen oil 10 65Thyme oil white 5 30 Genistein 15 75 Benzaldehyde 15 80 Blend 58Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 4 65 Thymol (crystal) 89-83-8 20 99 Alpha-Pinene,98% 80-56-8 1 10 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 1 55 Trans-Anethole 4180-23-8 10 55Blend 59 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 30 Thymol (crystal) 89-83-8 25 99Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 30 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 15 99 Blend 60 SoyBean Oil 8016-70-4 15 75 Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 10 Para-Cymene99-87-6 15 85 Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 0.1 20 Thymol acetate 528-79-0 2099 Blend 61 Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 30 Para-Cymene 99-87-6 10 55Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 10 70 Thymol acetate 528-79-0 30 99 Blend 62Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 10 60 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 10 70 Vanillin121-33-5 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 15 90 Piperonal (aldehyde)120-57-0 5 30 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 8 40 Blend 63Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 8 40 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 10 55 Vanillin121-33-5 0.1 4 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 10 55 Piperonal (aldehyde)120-57-0 10 55 [Heliotropine] Geraniol Fine FCC 106-24-1 5 30 TriethylCitrate 77-93-0 10 55 Blend 64 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 10 60Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 10 70 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 4 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 10 70 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 10 70[Heliotropine] Piperonyl Alcohol 495-76-1 0.1 30 Blend 65 D-Limonene5989-27-5 25 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 4 Citral 5392-40-5 5 30gamma-terpinene 99-85-4 5 30 Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 6alpha-Terpineol 98-55-5 0.1 20 Terpinolene 586-62-9 0.1 20 Para-Cymene99-87-6 0.1 5 Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 0.1 8 Beta Pinene 127-91-3 0.1 10Camphor Dextro 464-49-3 0.06 0.3 Terpinene 4 OL 562-74-3 0.06 0.3 AlphaTerpinene 99-86-5 0.1 10 Borneol L 507-70-0 0.1 5 Camphene 79-92-5 0.1 2Decanal 112-31-2 0.08 0.6 Dodecanal 112-54-9 0.06 0.3 Fenchol Alpha512-13-0 0.001 0.1 Geranyl Acetate 105-87-3 0.08 0.6 Isoborneol 124-76-50.1 2 2-Methyl 1,3-cyclo- 30640-46-1, 0.1 2 hexadiene 1888-90-0 Myrcene123-35-3 0.1 4 Nonanal 124-19-6 0.001 0.1 Octanal 124-13-0 0.05 0.2Tocopherol Gamma 54-28-4 0.001 0.1 (TENOX ®) Blend 66 D-Limonene5989-27-5 30 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 0.1 5 gamma-terpinene 99-85-4 640 Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 8 Terpinolene 586-62-9 0.1 25Para-Cymene 99-87-6 0.1 6 Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 0.1 10 Beta Pinene127-91-3 0.1 10 Camphor Dextro 464-49-3 0.1 10 Terpinene 4 OL 562-74-30.06 0.3 Alpha Terpinene 99-86-5 0.08 0.6 Borneol L 507-70-0 0.1 5Camphene 79-92-5 0.1 3 Decanal 112-31-2 0.08 0.6 Dodecanal 112-54-9 0.080.6 Fenchol Alpha 512-13-0 0.001 0.1 Geranyl Acetate 105-87-3 0.08 0.6Isoborneol 124-76-5 0.1 2 2-Methyl 1,3-cyclo- 30640-46-1, 0.1 2hexadiene 1888-90-0 Myrcene 123-35-3 0.1 5 Nonanal 124-19-6 0.001 0.2Octanal 124-13-0 0.05 0.3 Tocopherol Gamma 54-28-4 0.001 0.2 (TENOX ®)Blend 67 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 20 99 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 5 30Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 15 Terpinolene 586-62-9 5 30 Para-Cymene99-87-6 5 30 Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 0.1 15 Beta Pinene 127-91-3 0.1 15Alpha Terpinene 99-86-5 0.1 15 Camphene 79-92-5 0.1 20 Myrcene 123-35-30.1 30 Blend 68 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.08 1 Thyme Oil Red 8007-46-3 0.14 Thymol (crystal) 89-83-8 30 99 alpha-Terpineol 98-55-5 0.1 6Para-Cymene 99-87-6 10 60 Linalyl Acetate 115-95-7 0.1 5 Caryophyllene-B87-44-5 0.1 10 Borneol L 507-70-0 0.1 6 Myrcene 123-35-3 0.1 4 Tea TreeOil 0.1 6 Cypress Oil 0.1 10 Peppermint Terpenes 8006-90-4 0.1 30Linalool 90 0.1 10 Blend 69 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 30 99 Citral 5392-40-50.1 25 gamma-terpinene 99-85-4 5 30 Alpha-Pinene, 98% 80-56-8 0.1 5alpha-Terpineol 98-55-5 0.1 15 Terpinolene 586-62-9 0.1 20 LimeDistilled Oil 0.06 0.3 Lime Expressed Oil 0.06 0.3 Linalyl Acetate115-95-7 0.1 6 Caryophyllene-B 87-44-5 0.06 0.3 Beta Pinene 127-91-3 0.18 Terpinene 4 OL 562-74-3 0.005 0.2 Alpha Terpinene 99-86-5 0.1 6Borneol L 507-70-0 0.1 5 Camphene 79-92-5 0.1 2 Geranyl Acetate 105-87-30.08 0.6 Isoborneol 124-76-5 0.06 0.3 Linalool 90 0.1 3 Camphor Gum0.005 0.2 Aldehyde C-10 0.005 0.2 Aldehyde C-12 0.06 0.3 Blend 70Eugenol 97-53-0 0.003 0.1 Eucalyptol (1,8 Cineole) 0.05 0.3 MethylSalicylate 60 99.9 Linalool 90 0.05 0.3 Ethyl Salicylate 0.05 0.3 Blend71 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 6 35 Hercolyn D 8050-15-5 0.1 25 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 0.1 20 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 5 30[Heliotropine] Ethyl Linalool 10339-55-6 5 30 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-00.1 30 Dipropylene glycol 246-770-3 5 30 (DPG) Cinnamic Alcohol 104-54-10.1 5 Eugenol 97-53-0 0.1 5 Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol 60-12-8 10 65 IsoEugenol 0.08 1 Methyl Dihydro- 5 30 jasmonate Blend 72 Linalool Coeur78-70-6 8 40 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 10 70 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 8Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 15 85 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 5 30[Heliotropine] Piperonyl Alcohol 495-76-1 5 30 Geraniol Fine FCC106-24-1 5 30 Blend 73 Blend 11 50 99 Stock 10% SLS Solution 5 30 Blend74 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3 Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.08 0.6Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 11 50 99 Blend 75 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1or 0.1 4 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1 Water 7732-18-5 45 99Blend 74 10 50 Blend 76 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.1 2 24634-61-5Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 2 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.06 0.3 Water 7732-18-5 20 99 Blend 11 15 99 Blend77 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 25 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 2 55Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 1 40 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.324634-61-5 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 2 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-20.08 1 Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.06 0.3 Water 7732-18-5 20 99 Blend 78Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3 Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.08 0.6 Water7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 11 50 99 Blend 79 Water 7732-18-5 0.1 20 Blend 7440 99 Stock 2.5% Xanthan- 6 40 1% Ksorbate Blend 80 Water 7732-18-5 0.110 Blend 78 45 99 Stock 2.5% Xanthan- 6 40 1% Ksorbate Blend 81Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.1 4 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-20.08 1 Water 7732-18-5 45 99 Blend 78 10 50 Blend 82 Blend 1 0.1 8 Water60 99 Blend 83 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3 Lecithin 8002-43-50.08 0.6 Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 11 50 99 Blend 84 Potassium Sorbate590-00-1 or 0.1 4 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1 Water7732-18-5 45 99 Blend 83 10 50 Blend 85 Citronella Oil 106-22-9 0.08 0.6Carbopol 940 [9003-01-4] 0.08 0.6 BHT (butylated 128-37-0 0.06 0.3hydroxytoluene) Water 7732-18-5 30 99 Emulsifying Wax 67762-27-0, 8 409005-67-8 Light Liquid Paraffin 8012-95-1 0.1 10 White Soft Paraffin[8009-03-8] 0.1 25 Sodium Metabisulphate [7681-57-4] 0.08 1 PropyleneGlycol [57-55-6] 0.1 6 Methyl Paraben [99-76-3] 0.08 0.6 Propyl Paraben[94-13-3] 0.005 0.2 Cresmer RH40 [61791-12-6] 0.1 15 hydrogenated castoroil Triethanolamine [102-71-6] 0.08 0.6 Vitamin E Acetate [58-95-7]0.002 0.08 Disodium EDTA [139-33-3] 0.005 0.2 Blend 1 0.1 15 Blend 86Span 80 1338-43-8 0.005 0.2 Sodium Benzoate 532-32-1 0.08 0.6 Isopar M64742-47-8 15 85 A46 Propellant 8 45 Water 7732-18-5 25 99 Isopropylalcohol 67-63-0 0.1 5 Blend 8 6 40 Blend 87 Isopar M 64742-47-8 30 99A46 Propellant 20 99 Isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0 0.1 10 Blend 25 0.1 20Blend 88 Isopar M 64742-47-8 30 99 A46 Propellant 20 99 Bifenthrin83657-04-3 0.005 0.2 Isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0 0.1 10 Blend 25 0.1 20Blend 89 Isopar M 64742-47-8 30 99 A46 Propellant 20 99 Blend 20 0.1 20Blend 90 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.08 0.6 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 0.6Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.003 0.1 Water 7732-18-5 45 99 Isopropyl alcohol67-63-0 0.1 8 Blend 35 8 45 Blend 91 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.060.3 24634-61-5 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.08 0.6 Xanthan Gum11138-66-2 0.08 1 Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.003 0.1 Water 7732-18-5 50 99Blend 35 8 40 Blend 92 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10 Geraniol FineFCC 106-24-1 0.1 8 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 2 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1Lecithin 8002-43-5 0.05 0.2 Water 7732-18-5 50 99 Blend 68 0.1 10Isopropyl alcohol 67-63-0 0.1 8 Blend 93 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.115 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10 Thyme Oil Red 8007-46-3 0.1 6Stock 0.3% SLS-0.1% 55 99 Xanthan Soln Blend 94 Stock 0.3% SLS & 60 990.1% Xanthan Soln Blend 38 0.1 15 Blend 95 Lecithin, Soya 8030-76-0 0.080.6 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3 Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 1150 99 Blend 96 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 20 99 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 15 95 Lecithin, Soya 8030-76-0 0.08 0.6 Polyglycerol-4-oleate9007-48-1 0.1 3 Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Wintergreen Oil 10 65 Blend 97Lecithin, Soya 8030-76-0 0.06 0.3 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 7 50 99 Blend 98 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 1055 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 20 99 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 4 Isopropylmyristate 110-27-0 15 90 Lecithin, Soya 8030-76-0 0.06 0.3Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 3 Water 7732-18-5 5 30 Blend 99Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 6 Water 7732-18-5 0.1 25 Blend 11 5099 Blend 100 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 20 99 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 15 95 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 6 Water 7732-18-5 0.125 Wintergreen Oil 10 65 Blend 101 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.060.3 24634-61-5 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 6 Xanthan Gum11138-66-2 0.08 1 Water 7732-18-5 50 99 Blend 97 6 35 Blend 102D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 15 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 5 Lecithin,Soya 8030-76-0 0.001 0.04 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.324634-61-5 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.1 6 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-20.08 1 Water 7732-18-5 50 99 Wintergreen Oil 0.1 10 Blend 103 PotassiumSorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1Water 7732-18-5 50 99 Blend 95 6 35 Blend 104 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-30.1 10 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10 Lecithin, Soya 8030-76-00.002 0.08 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5Polyglycerol-4-oleate 9007-48-1 0.06 0.3 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1Water 7732-18-5 55 99 Wintergreen Oil 0.1 8 Blend 105 Potassium Sorbate590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1 Water7732-18-5 50 99 Blend 99 6 35 Blend 106 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 10Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 10Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.06 0.3 24634-61-5 Polyglycerol-4-oleate9007-48-1 0.08 0.6 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.08 1 Water 7732-18-5 55 99Blend 107 Potassium Sorbate 590-00-1 or 0.1 4 24634-61-5 Xanthan Gum11138-66-2 0.1 8 Water 7732-18-5 60 99 Blend 108 Sodium Benzoate532-32-1 0.1 6 Water 7732-18-5 60 99 Blend 109 Span 80 1338-43-8 0.1 4Tween 80 0.1 5 Isopar M 64742-47-8 8 40 Water 7732-18-5 35 99 Blend 80.1 10 2% Sodium Benzoate 6 35 Blend 110 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 5Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 2 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.1 3 Span 801338-43-8 0.1 4 Tween 80 0.1 5 Sodium Benzoate 532-32-1 0.08 0.6 IsoparM 64742-47-8 8 40 Water 7732-18-5 40 99 Blend 111 Propellent A70 10 65Blend 109 45 99 Blend 112 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 5 Thyme Oil White8007-46-3 0.08 1 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.1 3 Span 80 1338-43-8 0.13 Tween 80 0.1 5 Sodium Benzoate 532-32-1 0.08 0.6 Isopar M 64742-47-8 635 Water 7732-18-5 35 99 Propellent A70 10 65 Blend 113 Sodium LaurylSulfate 151-21-3 5 30 Water 7732-18-5 55 99 Blend 114 Sodium LaurylSulfate 151-21-3 0.08 1 Xanthan Gum 11138-66-2 0.06 0.3 Water 7732-18-560 99.9 Blend 115 Citronella Oil 106-22-9 0.08 0.6 Carbopol 940[9003-01-4] 0.08 0.6 BHT (butylated 128-37-0 0.06 0.3 hydroxytoluene)Water 7732-18-5 30 99 Emulsifying Wax 67762-27-0, 8 40 9005-67-8 LightLiquid Paraffin 8012-95-1 0.1 10 White Soft Paraffin [8009-03-8] 0.1 25Sodium Metabisulphate [7681-57-4] 0.08 1 Propylene Glycol [57-55-6] 0.16 Cresmer RH40 [61791-12-6] 0.1 15 hydrogenated castor oilTriethanolamine [102-71-6] 0.08 0.6 Vitamin E Acetate [58-95-7] 0.0020.08 Disodium EDTA [139-33-3] 0.005 0.2 Blend 1 0.1 15 Blend 116 Water7732-18-5 20 99 Blend 75 35 99 Blend 117 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 0.1 10Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 15 Benzyl Alcohol 100-51-6 8 50 Isopar M64742-47-8 10 65 Water 7732-18-5 25 99 Bifenthrin 83657-04-3 0.005 0.2Blend 63 0.1 15 Stock 10% SLS Solution 0.1 10 Blend 118 Thyme Oil White8007-46-3 0.1 2 Wintergreen Oil 68917-75-9 0.1 3 Isopropyl myristate110-27-0 0.1 3 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 151-21-3 0.002 0.08 Water 7732-18-560 99 Blend 119 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 4 Wintergreen Oil68917-75-9 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 5 AgSorb clay carrier60 99 Blend 120 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 4 Wintergreen Oil68917-75-9 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 5 DG Lite 60 99 Blend121 D-Limonene 5989-27-5 15 75 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 4 LinaloolCoeur 78-70-6 0.08 0.6 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.08 0.6 Vanillin121-33-5 0.002 0.08 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.08 0.6 Piperonal(aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.08 0.6 [Heliotropine] Blend 66 0.1 10 Geraniol 60106-24-1 0.06 0.3 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-0 0.08 0.6 Water 7732-18-5 3599 Stock 10% SLS Solution 0.1 10 Blend 122 Miracle Gro (Sterile) 60 99Blend 11 0.1 15 Blend 123 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 15 75 Amyl Butyrate540-18-1 15 75 Anise Star Oil 30 99 Genistein 0.001 0.1 Blend 124Linalool Coeur 0.1 20 Tetrahydrolinalool 0.1 25 Vanillin 0.1 2 Isopropylmyristate 0.1 30 Piperonal (aldehyde) 0.1 30 [Heliotropine] GeraniolFine FCC 0.1 15 Triethyl Citrate 0.1 30 Thyme Oil White 30 99 Blend 125D-Limonene 5989-27-5 5 30 Linalool Coeur 78-70-6 8 40 Tetrahydrolinalool78-69-3 15 75 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.1 8 Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 15 85Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 5 30 Geraniol 60 5 30 Blend 126 D-Limonene5989-27-5 45 99 Thyme Oil White 8007-46-3 0.1 10 Linalool Coeur 78-70-60.1 2 Tetrahydrolinalool 78-69-3 0.1 3 Vanillin 121-33-5 0.005 0.2Isopropyl myristate 110-27-0 0.1 3 Piperonal (aldehyde) 120-57-0 0.1 3[Heliotropine] Blend 66 5 30 Geraniol 60 0.1 2 Triethyl Citrate 77-93-00.1 3

Embodiments of the invention relate to compositions for controlling atarget pest, wherein the composition contains at least two activeingredients, and methods for using these compositions. The at least twoactive ingredients, when combined, can have a synergistic effect. Thus,for example, compositions of the invention can include any of thefollowing oils listed below, or mixtures thereof:

amyl butyrate linalool tetrahydrolinalool anise star oil linalyl acetatethyme oil (including black seed oil (BSO) methyl salicyclate thyme oilwhite and para-cymene alpha-pinene (α-pinene) thyme oil red) geraniolpiperonal thymol isopropyl myristate piperonyl thymyl acetate lilacflower oil (LFO) piperonyl acetate vanillin d-limonene piperonyl alcoholwintergreen oil

The compositions of the present invention can also include any of thefollowing oils listed below, or mixtures thereof:

Allyl sulfide isopropyl citrate Allyl trisulfide Iso-pulegoneAllyl-disulfide Jasmone Anethole cis-jasmone trans-anethole LavandustinA Artemisia alcohol acetate lemon grass oil Benzyl acetate lime oilBenzyl alcohol Limonene Bergamotene lindenol β-bisabolene LindestreneBisabolene oxide linalyl anthranilate α-bisabololMethyl-allyl-trisulfide Bisabolol oxide methyl citrate Bisobolol oxide βmethyl di-hydrojasmonate Bornyl acetate Menthol β-bourbonene 2-methoxyfuranodiene α-cadinol menthone camphene Menthyl acetate α-campholeneMenthyl salicylate α-campholene aldehyde Methyl cinnamate camphorMenthyl salicylate carbaryl myrcene carvacrol Myrtenal d-carvoneNeraldimethyl acetate l-carvone Nerolidol Caryophyllene oxide NonanoneChamazulene 1-octanol Chrysanthemate ester E ocimenone Chrysanthemicacid Z ocimenone Chrysanthemyl alcohol 3-octanone 1,8-cineole OcimeneCinnamaldehyde Octyl acetate Cis-verbenol PD 98059 Citral A Peppermintoil Citral B perillyl alcohol Citronellal Permethrin Citronellol phenylacetaldehyde Citronellyl acetate phenylethyl alcohol Citronellyl formatephenylethyl propionate α-copaene α-phellandrene cornmint oilβ-phellandrene β-costol β-pinene Cryptone piperonyl amine quinoneCurzerenone Prenal Davanone Propargite Diallyl tetrasulfide PulegoneDiethyl phthalate Pyrethrum dihydropyrocurzerenone2-tert-butyl-p-quinone β-elemene Sabinene gamma-elemene Sabinyl acetateElmol α-santalene Estragole Santalol 2-ethyl-2-hexen-1-ol Sativeneugenol δ-selinene Eugenol acetate β-sesquphelandrene α-farneseneSpathulenol (Z,E)-α-farnesene Tagetone E-β-farnesene Tamoxifen FenchoneTebufenozide Forskolin α-terpinene Furanodiene terpinene 900Furanoeudesma-1,3-diene 4-terpineol Furanoeudesma-1,4-diene α-terpineolFurano germacra 1,10(15)- gamma-terpineol diene-6-one α-terpinoleneFuranosesquiterpene α-terpinyl acetate Geraniol tetrahydrofurfurylalcohol. Geraniol acetate α-thujene Germacrene D α-thujone Germacrene BThymyl methyl ether α-gurjunene Trans-caryophyllene α-humuleneTrans-pinocarveol α-ionone Trans-verbenol β-ionone Verbenone IsoborneolYomogi alcohol Isofuranogermacrene Zingiberene Iso-menthoneDihydrotagentone

Optionally, the compositions can additionally include a fixed oil, whichis a non-volatile non-scented plant oil. For example, the compositioncould include one or more of the following fixed oils listed below:

castor oil mineral oil safflower oil corn oil olive oil sesame oil cuminoil peanut oil soy bean oil

In some embodiments of the compositions, it can be desirable to includecompounds each having a purity of about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%,90%, or 95%. For example, in some embodiments of the compositions thatinclude geraniol, it can be desirable to include a geraniol that is atleast about 60%, 85% or 95% pure. In some embodiments, it can bedesirable to include a specific type of geraniol. For example, in someembodiments, the compositions can include: geraniol 60, geraniol 85, orgeraniol 95. When geraniol is obtained as geraniol 60, geraniol 85, orgeraniol 95, then forty percent, fifteen percent, or five percent of theoil can be Nerol. Nerol is a monoterpene (C10H18O), that can beextracted from attar of roses, oil of orange blossoms and oil oflavender.

In some other embodiments, each compound can make up between about 1% toabout 99%, by weight (wt/wt %) or by volume (vol/vol %), of thecomposition. As used herein, percent amounts, by weight or by volume, ofcompounds are to be understood as referring to relative amounts of thecompounds. As such, for example, a composition including 7% linalool,35% thymol, 4% alpha-pinene, 30% para-cymene, and 24% soy bean oil(vol/vol %) can be said to include a ratio of 7 to 35 to 4 to 30 to 24linalool, thymol, alpha-pinene, para-cymene, and soy bean oil,respectively (by volume). As such, if one compound is removed from thecomposition, or additional compounds or other ingredients are added tothe composition, it is contemplated that the remaining compounds can beprovided in the same relative amounts. For example, if soy bean oil wereremoved from the exemplary composition, the resulting composition wouldinclude 7 to 35 to 4 to 40 linalool, thymol, alpha-pinene, andpara-cymene, respectively (by volume). This resulting composition wouldinclude 9.21% linalool, 46.05% thymol, 5.26% alpha-pinene, and 39.48%para-cymene (vol/vol %). For another example, if safflower oil wereadded to the original composition to yield a final compositioncontaining 40% (vol/vol) safflower oil, then the resulting compositionwould include 4.2% linalool, 21% thymol, 2.4% alpha-pinene, 18%para-cymene, 14.4% soy bean oil, and 40% safflower oil (vol/vol %). Onehaving ordinary skill in the art would understand that volumepercentages are easily converted to weight percentages based the knownor measured specific gravity of the substance.

In some embodiments, it can be desirable to include anaturally-occurring version or a synthetic version of a compound. Forexample, in some embodiments it can be desirable to include a syntheticlime oil that can be obtained commercially. In certain exemplarycompositions, it can be desirable to include a compound that isdesignated as meeting Food Chemical Codex (FCC), for example, GeraniolFine FCC or Tetrahydrolinalool FCC, which compounds can be obtainedcommerically.

Additional Composition Components

Embodiments of the present invention can include art-recognisedingredients normally used in such formulations. These ingredients caninclude, for example, antifoaming agents, anti-microbial agents,anti-oxidants, anti-redeposition agents, bleaches, colorants,emulsifiers, enzymes, fats, fluorescent materials, fungicides,hydrotropes, moisturisers, optical brighteners, perfume carriers,perfume, preservatives, proteins, silicones, soil release agents,solubilisers, sugar derivatives, sun screens, surfactants, vitaminswaxes, and the like.

In some embodiments, the compositions can also contain other adjuvantsor modifiers such as one or more therapeutically or cosmetically activeingredients. Exemplary therapeutic or cosmetically active ingredientsuseful in the compositions of the invention can include, for example,fungicides, sunscreening agents, sunblocking agents, vitamins, tanningagents, plant extracts, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-oxidants, radicalscavenging agents, retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, emollients,antiseptics, antibiotics, antibacterial agents, antihistamines, and thelike, and can be present in an amount effective for achieving thetherapeutic or cosmetic result desired.

In some embodiments, the compositions can include one or more materialsthat can function as an antioxidant, such as reducing agents and freeradical scavengers. Suitable materials that can function as anantioxidant can include, for example: acetyl cysteine, ascorbic acid,t-butyl hydroquinone, cysteine, diamylhydroquinone, erythorbic acid,ferulic acid, hydroquinone, p-hydroxyanisole, hydroxylamine sulfate,magnesium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, octocrylene,phloroglucinol, potassium ascorbyl tocopheryl phosphate, potassiumsulfite, rutin, sodium ascorbate, sodium sulfite, sodium thloglycolate,thiodiglycol, thiodiglycolamide, thioglycolic acid, thiosalicylic acid,tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl linoleate,tris(nonylpheny)phosphite, and the like.

Embodiments of the invention can also include one or more materials thatcan function as a chelating agent to complex with metallic ions. Thisaction can help to inactivate the metallic ions for the purpose ofpreventing their adverse effects on the stability or appearance of aformulated composition. Chelating agents suitable for use in anembodiment of this invention can include, for example, aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid, beta-alanine diacetic acid, calcium disodium EDTA,citric acid, cyclodextrin, cyclohexanediamine tetraacetic acid,diammonium citrate, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodiumazacycloheptane diphosphonate, disodium EDTA, disodium pyrophosphate,EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid), gluconic acid, HEDTA(hydroxyethyl ethylene diamine triacetic acid), methyl cyclodextrin,pentapotassium triphosphate, pentasodium aminotrimethylene phosphonate,pentasodium triphosphate, pentetic acid, phytic acid, potassium citrate,potassium gluconate, sodium citrate, sodium diethylenetriaminepentamethylene phosphonate, sodium dihydroxyethylglycinate, sodiumgluconate, sodium metaphosphate, sodium metasilicate, sodium phytate,triethanolamine (“TEA”)-EDTA, TEA-polyphosphate, tetrahydroxypropylethylenediamine, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium EDTA,tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, trisodiumHEDTA, trisodium phosphate, and the like.

Embodiments of the invention can also include one or more materials thatcan function as a humectant. A humectant is added to a composition toretard moisture loss during use, which effect is accomplished, ingeneral, by the presence therein of hygroscopic materials.

The following table (Table 2) provides exemplary compositions ofembodiments of the invention:

TABLE 2 Exemplary Compositions Exemplified % Ingredients Exemplifiedform % Range 1 % Range 2 % Range 3 % Range 4 (w/w) Example 1 -Ingredient Family 1 Linalool Linalool Coeur 0.66% 19.80%  3.30%  9.90% 4.95%  8.25%  5.94%  7.26%  6.60% Base Oil Soy Bean Oil 2.40% 72.00%12.00% 36.00% 18.00% 30.00% 21.60% 26.40% 24.00% Thymol Thymol (crystal)3.72% 99.00% 18.60% 55.80% 27.90% 46.50% 33.48% 40.92% 37.20% PineneAlpha-Pinene, 98% 0.38% 11.40%  1.90%  5.70%  2.85%  4.75%  3.42%  4.18% 3.80% Cymene Para-Cymene 2.84% 85.17% 14.20% 42.59% 21.29% 35.49%25.55% 31.23% 28.39% Example 2 - Ingredient Family 2 Thyme Oil Thyme OilWhite 2.06% 61.80% 10.30% 30.90% 15.45% 25.75% 18.54% 22.66% 20.60%Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 4.51% 99.00% 22.55% 67.65% 33.83% 56.38%40.59% 49.61% 45.10% Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 3.43%99.00% 17.15% 51.45% 25.73% 42.88% 30.87% 37.73% 34.30% Example 3 -Ingredient Family 3 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 2.48% 74.25% 12.38% 37.13%18.56% 30.94% 22.28% 27.23% 24.75% Amyl Butyrate Amyl Butyrate 2.30%69.12% 11.52% 34.56% 17.28% 28.80% 20.74% 25.34% 23.04% Anise Star OilAnise Star Oil 5.22% 99.00% 26.11% 78.32% 39.16% 65.26% 46.99% 57.43%52.21% Example 4 - Ingredient Family 4 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 2.48%74.25% 12.38% 37.13% 18.56% 30.94% 22.28% 27.23% 24.75% Amyl ButyrateAmyl Butyrate 2.30% 69.12% 11.52% 34.56% 17.28% 28.80% 20.74% 25.34%23.04% Anise Star Oil Anise Star Oil 5.22% 99.00% 26.10% 78.30% 39.15%65.25% 46.98% 57.42% 52.20% Isoflavone Genistein 0.001%   5.00% 0.005% 0.02% 0.008% 0.012% 0.009% 0.011%  0.01% Example 5 - Ingredient Family5 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 2.05% 61.50% 10.25% 30.75% 15.38% 25.63%18.45% 22.55% 20.50% Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 4.50% 99.00% 22.50%67.50% 33.75% 56.25% 40.50% 49.50% 45.00% Vanillin Vanillin 0.11%  5.00% 0.55%  1.65%  0.83%  1.38%  0.99%  1.21%  1.10% Isopropyl myristateIsopropyl myristate 3.34% 99.00% 16.70% 50.10% 25.05% 41.75% 30.06%36.74% 33.40% Example 6 - Ingredient Family 6 Limonene D-Limonene 5.63%99.00% 28.15% 84.45% 42.23% 70.38% 50.67% 61.93% 56.30% Thyme Oil ThymeOil White 1.24% 37.14%  6.19% 18.57%  9.29% 15.48% 11.14% 13.62% 12.38%Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 3.13% 93.96% 15.66% 46.98% 23.49% 39.15%28.19% 34.45% 31.32% Example 7 - Ingredient Family 7 Potassium SorbatePotassium Sorbate 0.10%  5.00%  0.50%  1.50%  0.75%  1.25%  0.90%  1.10% 1.00% Xanthan Gum Xanthan Gum 0.03%  5.00%  0.14%  0.42%  0.21%  0.35% 0.25%  0.31%  0.28% Water Water 8.18% 99.00% 40.91% 99.00% 61.37%99.00% 73.64% 90.00% 81.82% Blend 74 Blend 74 1.69%  50.7%  8.45% 25.35%12.68% 21.13% 15.21% 18.59% 16.90% Example 8 - Ingredient Family 8Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 4.84% 99.00% 24.18% 72.53%36.26% 60.44% 43.52% 53.19% 48.35% Geraniol Geraniol Fine FCC 1.50%44.94%  7.49% 22.47% 11.24% 18.73% 13.48% 16.48% 14.98% Blend 68 Blend68 3.67% 99.00% 18.34% 55.01% 27.50% 45.84% 33.00% 40.34% 36.67% Example9 - Ingredient Family 9 Limonene D-Limonene 0.99% 29.70%  4.95% 14.85% 7.43% 12.38%  8.91% 10.89%  9.90% Linalool Linalool Coeur 1.41% 42.42% 7.07% 21.21% 10.61% 17.68% 12.73% 15.55% 14.14% TetrahydrolinaloolTetrahydrolinalool 2.43% 72.87% 12.15% 36.44% 18.22% 30.36% 21.86%26.72% 24.29% Vanillin Vanillin 0.25%  7.44%  1.24%  3.72%  1.86%  3.10% 2.23%  2.73%  2.48% Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 2.89%86.76% 14.46% 43.38% 21.69% 36.15% 26.03% 31.81% 28.92% PiperonalPiperonal (aldehyde) 1.00% 29.91%  4.99% 14.96%  7.48% 12.46%  8.97%10.97%  9.97% Geraniol Geraniol Fine FCC 1.03% 30.90%  5.15% 15.45% 7.73% 12.88%  9.27% 11.33% 10.30% Example 10 - Ingredient Family 10Limonene D-Limonene 2.85% 85.38% 14.23% 42.69% 21.35% 35.58% 25.61%31.31% 28.46% Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 3.13% 93.87% 15.65% 46.94%23.47% 39.11% 28.16% 34.42% 31.29% Blend 63 Blend 63 4.03% 99.00% 20.13%60.38% 30.19% 50.31% 36.23% 44.28% 40.25% Example 11 - Ingredient Family11 Limonene D-Limonene 0.96% 28.89%  4.82% 14.45%  7.22% 12.04%  8.67%10.59%  9.63% BSO BSO 2.67% 79.98% 13.33% 39.99% 20.00% 33.33% 23.99%29.33% 26.66% Linalool Linalool Coeur 0.98% 29.46%  4.91% 14.73%  7.37%12.28%  8.84% 10.80%  9.82% Tetrahydrolinalool Tetrahydrolinalool 1.18%35.43%  5.91% 17.72%  8.86% 14.76% 10.63% 12.99% 11.81% VanillinVanillin 0.12%  5.00%  0.60%  1.80%  0.90%  1.50%  1.08%  1.32%  1.20%Base Oil Mineral Oil 1.50% 44.91%  7.49% 22.46% 11.23% 18.71% 13.47%16.47% 14.97% White USP Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 1.45%43.62%  7.27% 21.81% 10.91% 18.18% 13.09% 15.99% 14.54% PiperonalPiperonal (aldehyde) 0.49% 14.55%  2.43%  7.28%  3.64%  6.06%  4.37% 5.34%  4.85% Geraniol Geraniol Fine FCC 0.65% 19.53%  3.26%  9.77% 4.88%  8.14%  5.86%  7.16%  6.51% Example 12 - Ingredient Family 12Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 4.19% 99.00% 20.93% 62.79% 31.40% 52.33%37.67% 46.05% 41.86% Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 3.83%99.00% 19.17% 57.51% 28.76% 47.93% 34.51% 42.17% 38.34% GeraniolGeraniol Fine FCC 1.98% 59.40%  9.90% 29.70% 14.85% 24.75% 17.82% 21.78%19.80% Example 13 - Ingredient Family 13 Linalool Linalool Coeur 2.34%70.14% 11.69% 35.07% 17.54% 29.23% 21.04% 25.72% 23.38% Amyl ButyrateAmyl Butyrate 2.35% 70.38% 11.73% 35.19% 17.60% 29.33% 21.11% 25.81%23.46% Anise Star Oil Anise Star Oil 5.32% 99.00% 26.58% 79.74% 39.87%66.45% 47.84% 58.48% 53.16% Example 14 - Ingredient Family 14 LinaloolLinalool Coeur 3.74% 99.00% 18.72% 56.16% 28.08% 46.80% 33.70% 41.18%37.44% Thymol Thymol 3.67% 99.00% 18.36% 55.08% 27.54% 45.90% 33.05%40.39% 36.72% Pinene Alpha-pinene, 98% 0.47% 13.98%  2.33%  6.99%  3.50% 5.83%  4.19%  5.13%  4.66% Cymene Para-Cymene 0.19%  5.61%  0.94% 2.81%  1.40%  2.34%  1.68%  2.06%  1.87% Anethole Trans-Anethole 1.93%57.93%  9.66% 28.97% 14.48% 24.14% 17.38% 21.24% 19.31% Example 15 -Ingredient Family 15 Limonene D-Limonene 2.74% 82.05% 13.68% 41.03%20.51% 34.19% 24.62% 30.09% 27.35% Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 3.01%90.24% 15.04% 45.12% 22.56% 37.60% 27.07% 33.09% 30.08% Lilac Flower OilLilac Flower Oil 4.26% 99.00% 21.30% 63.90% 31.95% 53.25% 38.34% 46.86%42.57% Example 16 - Ingredient Family 16 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 3.82%99.00% 19.11% 57.32% 28.66% 47.76% 34.39% 42.03% 38.21% Wintergreen OilWintergreen Oil 2.48% 74.37% 12.40% 37.19% 18.59% 30.99% 22.31% 27.27%24.79% Isopropyl Myristate Isopropyl Myristate 3.59% 99.00% 17.95%53.84% 26.92% 44.86% 32.30% 39.48% 35.89% vanillin Vanillin 0.11%  5.00% 0.56%  1.67%  0.83%  1.39%  1.00%  1.22%  1.11% Example 17 - IngredientFamily 17 Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 2.48% 74.46% 12.41% 37.23%18.62% 31.03% 22.34% 27.30% 24.82% Isopropyl Myristate IsopropylMyristate 3.59% 99.00% 17.97% 53.91% 26.96% 44.93% 32.35% 39.53% 35.94%Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 3.92% 99.00% 19.62% 58.86% 29.43% 49.05%35.32% 43.16% 39.24% Example 18 - Ingredient Family 18 Thyme Oil ThymeOil White 0.46%  13.8%  2.30%  6.90%  3.45%  5.75%  4.14%  5.06%  4.60%Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 5.78% 99.00% 28.90% 86.70% 43.35% 72.25%52.02% 63.58% 57.80% Isopropyl Myristate Isopropyl Myristate 3.76%99.00% 18.80% 56.40% 28.20% 47.00% 33.84% 41.36% 37.60% Example 19 -Ingredient Family 19 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 3.16% 94.71% 15.79%47.36% 23.68% 39.46% 28.41% 34.73% 31.57% Isopropyl myristate Isopropylmyristate 3.86% 99.00% 19.28% 57.84% 28.92% 48.20% 34.70% 42.42% 38.56%Wintergreen Oil Wintergreen Oil 2.99% 89.61% 14.94% 44.81% 22.40% 37.34%26.88% 32.86% 29.87% Example 20 - Ingredient Family 20 Thyme Oil ThymeOil White 2.06% 61.80% 10.30% 30.90% 15.45% 25.75% 18.54% 22.66% 20.60%Isopropyl myristate Isopropyl myristate 3.43% 99.00% 17.15% 51.45%25.73% 42.88% 30.87% 37.73% 34.30% Geraniol Geraniol Fine FCC 4.51%99.00% 22.55% 67.65% 33.83% 56.38% 40.59% 49.61% 45.10% Example 21 -Ingredient Family 21 Thyme Oil Thyme Oil White 1.24% 37.14%  6.19%18.57%  9.29% 15.48% 11.14% 13.62% 12.38% Wintergreen Oil WintergreenOil 3.13% 93.96% 15.66% 46.98% 23.49% 39.15% 28.19% 34.45% 31.32%Limonene D-Limonene 5.63% 99.00% 28.15% 84.45% 42.23% 70.38% 50.67%61.93% 56.30% Example 22 - Ingredient Family 22 LFO LFO 5.01% 99.00%25.07% 75.20% 37.60% 62.66% 45.12% 55.14% 50.13% BSO BSO 4.99% 99.00%24.94% 74.81% 37.40% 62.34% 44.88% 54.86% 49.87% (Black Seed Oil)Example 23 - Ingredient Family 23 LFO LFO 8.01% 99.00% 40.05% 99.00%60.07% 99.00% 72.08% 88.10% 80.09% BSO BSO 1.99% 59.73%  9.96% 29.87%14.93% 24.89% 17.92% 21.90% 19.91% (Black Seed Oil)

In embodiments of the invention that include at least one blend ofcompounds of a plant origin, the compounds of plant origin can be testedfor their precise chemical composition using, for example,High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Mass Spectrometry (MS),gas chromatography, or the like.

Other exemplary embodiments include the blends of compounds as set forthon pages 71-120 of WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/088827, published onJul. 24, 2008.

The term “about” or “approximately” means within an acceptable errorrange for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill inthe art, which will depend in part on how the value is measured ordetermined, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system, i.e., thedegree of precision required for a particular purpose, such as apharmaceutical formulation. For example, “about” can mean within 1 ormore than 1 standard deviations, per the practice in the art.Alternatively, “about” can mean a range of up to 20%, preferably up to10%, more preferably up to 5%, and more preferably still up to 1% of agiven value. Alternatively, particularly with respect to biologicalsystems or processes, the term can mean within an order of magnitude,preferably within 5-fold, and more preferably within 2-fold, of a value.Where particular values are described in the application and claims,unless otherwise stated the term “about” meaning within an acceptableerror range for the particular value should be assumed.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, means at least about 80%,preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 99%, forexample at least about 99.9%. In some embodiments, the term“substantially” can mean completely, or about 100%.

Embodiments of the invention can include at least one oil, such as, forexample, “Superior oil,” highly-refined oils, and the like.

Synergistic Properties of Blends

Surprisingly, by blending certain compounds in certain relative amounts,the resulting composition demonstrates a repellant or pesticidal effectthat exceeds the repellant or pesticidal effect of any component of thecomposition. As used herein, “component of a composition” refers to acompound, or a subset of compounds included in a composition, e.g., thecomplete composition minus at least one compound. As used herein,“repellant effect” is an effect wherein more insects are repelled awayfrom a host or area that has been treated with the composition than acontrol host or area that has not been treated with the composition. Insome embodiments, repellant effect is an effect wherein at least about75% of insects are repelled away from a host or area that has beentreated with the composition. In some embodiments, repellant effect isan effect wherein at least about 90% of insects are repelled away from ahost or area that has been treated with the composition. As used herein,“pesticidal effect” is an effect wherein treatment with a compositioncauses at least about 1% of the insects to die. In this regard, when afirst effect and a second effect are compared, the first effect canindicate a greater pesticidal or repellant efficacy if it exceeds thesecond effect. For example, when the effect being measured is a %killing of target insects, a greater % killing is a pesticidal effectthat exceeds a lesser % killing. Effects that can be measured include,but are not limited to: time to kill a given percentage of a targetinsect, or repellency as to a given percentage of a target insect.

Surprisingly, by combining certain pest control chemicals, and compoundsor blends of the present invention, pest control activity of theresulting compositions can be enhanced, i.e., a synergistic effect onpest control activity is achieved when a certain chemical or chemicals,and a certain compound or compounds are combined. In other words, thecompositions including certain combinations of at least one chemical,and at least one compound or at least one blend of compounds can have anenhanced ability to control target pests, as compared to each of thechemicals or compounds taken alone.

In embodiments of the present invention, “synergy” can refer to anysubstantial enhancement, in a combination of at least two ingredients,of a measurable effect, when compared with the effect of one activeingredient alone, or when compared with the effect of the completecombination minus at least one ingredient. Synergy is a specific featureof a combination of ingredients, and is above any background level ofenhancement that would be due solely to, e.g., additive effects of anyrandom combination of ingredients. Effects include but are not limitedto: repellant effect of the composition; pesticidal effect of thecomposition; perturbation of a cell message or cell signal such as,e.g., calcium, cyclic-AMP, and the like; and diminution of activity ordownstream effects of a molecular target.

As used herein, “synergy” and “synergistic effect” can refer to anysubstantial enhancement, in a composition of at least two compounds, ofa measurable effect, e.g., an anti-parasitic effect, when compared withthe effect of a component of the composition, e.g., one active compoundalone, or the complete blend of compounds minus at least one compound.Synergy is a specific feature of a blend of compounds, and is above anybackground level of enhancement that would be due solely to, e.g.,additive effects of any random combination of ingredients.

In some embodiments, a substantial enhancement of a measurable effectcan be expressed as a coefficient of synergy. A coefficient of synergyis an expression of a comparison between measured effects of acomposition and measured effects of a comparison composition. Thecomparison composition can be a component of the composition. In someembodiments, the synergy coefficient can be adjusted for differences inconcentration of the complete blend and the comparison composition.

Synergy coefficients can be calculated as follows. An activity ratio (R)can be calculated by dividing the % effect of the composition (A_(B)) bythe % effect of the comparison composition (X_(n)), as follows:R=A _(B) /X _(n)  (Formula 1)

A concentration adjustment factor (F) can be calculated based on theconcentration (C_(n)), i.e., % (wt/wt) or % (vol/vol), of the comparisoncomposition in the composition, as follows:F=100/C _(n)  (Formula 2)

The synergy coefficient (S) can then be calculated by multiplying theactivity ratio (R) and the concentration adjustment factor (F), asfollows:S=(R)(F)  (Formula 3)

As such, the synergy coefficient (S) can also by calculated, as follows:S=[(AB/X _(n))(100)]/C _(n)  (Formula 4)

In Formula 4, AB is expressed as % effect of the blend, X_(n) isexpressed as % effect of the comparison composition (Xn), and C_(n) isexpressed as % (wt/wt) or % (vol/vol) concentration of the comparisoncomposition in the blend.

In some embodiments, a coefficient of synergy of about 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,1.4, or 1.5 can be substantial and commercially desirable. In otherembodiments, the coefficient of synergy can be from about 1.6 to about5, including but not limited to about 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and4.5. In other embodiments, the coefficient of synergy can be from about5 to 50, including but not limited to about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,and 45. In other embodiments, the coefficient of synergy can be fromabout 50 to about 500, or more, including but not limited to about 50,75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, and 450. Any coefficient ofsynergy above 500 is also contemplated within embodiments of thecompositions.

Given that a broad range of synergies can be found in variousembodiments described herein, it is expressly noted that a coefficientof synergy can be described as being “greater than” a given number andtherefore not necessarily limited to being within the bounds of a rangehaving a lower and an upper numerical limit. Likewise, in someembodiments described herein, certain low synergy coefficients, or lowerends of ranges, are expressly excluded. Accordingly, in someembodiments, synergy can be expressed as being “greater than” a givennumber that constitutes a lower limit of synergy for such an embodiment.For example, in some embodiments, the synergy coefficient is equal to orgreater than 25; in such an embodiment, all synergy coefficients below25, even though substantial, are expressly excluded.

In some embodiments, synergy or synergistic effect associated with acomposition can be determined using calculations similar to thosedescribed in Colby, S. R., “Calculating Synergistic and AntagonisticResponses of Herbicide Combinations,” Weeds, 1967 15:1, pp. 20-22, whichis incorporated herein by reference. In this regard, the followingformula can be used to express percent effect (E) of a compositionincluding two compounds, Compound X and Compound Y:E=X+Y−(X*Y/100)  (Formula 5)

In Formula 5, X is the measured actual percent effect of Compound X inthe composition, and Y is the measured actual percent effect of CompoundY in the composition. The expected percent effect (E) of the compositionis then compared to a measured actual percent effect (A) of thecomposition. If the actual percent effect (A) that is measured differsfrom the expected percent effect (E) as calculated by the formula, thenthe difference is due to an interaction of the compounds. Thus, thecomposition has synergy (a positive interaction of the compounds) whenA>E. Further, there is a negative interaction (antagonism) when A<E.

Formula 5 can be extended to account for any number of compounds in acomposition; however it becomes more complex as it is expanded, as isillustrated by the following formula for a composition including threecompounds, Compound X, Compound Y, and Compound Z:E=X+Y+Z−((XY+XZ+YZ)/100)+(X*Y*Z/1000)  (Formula 6)

An easy-to-use formula that accommodates compositions with any number ofcompounds can be provided by modifying Formulas 5 and 6. Such amodification of the formula will now be described. When using Formulas 5and 6, an untreated control value (untreated with composition orcompound) is set at 100%, e.g., if the effect being measured is theamount of target insects killed, the control value would be set at 100%survival of the target insect. In this regard, if treatment withcompound A results in 80% killing of the target insect, then thetreatment with compound A can be said to result in a 20% survival, or20% of the control value. The relationship between values expressed as apercent effect and values expressed as a percent-of-control are setforth in the following formulas, where E′ is the expected percent ofcontrol of the composition, X_(n) is the measured actual % effect of anindividual compound (Compound X_(n)) of the composition, X_(n)′ is thepercent of control of an individual compound of the composition, and A′is the actual measured percent of control of the composition.E=100−E′  (Formula 7)X _(n)=100−X _(n)′  (Formula 8)A=100−A′  (Formula 9)

By substituting the percent-of-control values for the percent effectvalues of Formulas 5 and 6, and making modifications to accommodate anynumber (n) of compounds, the following formula is provided forcalculating the expected % of control (E′) of the composition:

$\begin{matrix}{E^{\prime} = {\left( {\underset{i = 1}{\overset{n}{\Pi}}X_{i}^{\prime}} \right) \div 100^{n - 1}}} & \left( {{Formula}\mspace{14mu} 10} \right)\end{matrix}$

According to Formula 10, the expected % of control (E′) for thecomposition is calculated by dividing the product of the measured actual% of control values (X_(n)′) for each compound of the composition by100^(n-1). The expected % of control (E′) of the composition is thencompared to the measured actual % of control (A′) of the composition. Ifthe actual % of control (A′) that is measured differs from the expected% of control (E′) as calculated by the Formula 10, then the differenceis due to an interaction of the compounds. Thus, the composition hassynergy (a positive interaction of the compounds) when A′<E′. Further,there is a negative interaction (antagonism) when A′>E′.

Compositions containing two or more compounds in certain ratios orrelative amounts can be tested for a synergistic effect by comparing thepesticidal effect of a particular composition of compounds to thepesticidal effect of a component of the composition. Additionalinformation related to making a synergy determination can be found inthe examples set forth in this document. While synergy has beendescribed in terms of a coefficient of synergy and in terms of the Colbysynergy calculations, it is noted that synergy by other measures ordeterminations known in the art is, in some embodiments, also within themeaning of synergy as described and claimed herein.

Exemplary methods that can be used to determine the synergistic effectof a particular composition are set forth in the following applications,each of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference: U.S.application Ser. No. 10/832,022, entitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FORCONTROLLING INSECTS; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/086,615, entitledCOMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS RELATED TO THEOCTOPAMINE RECEPTOR; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/365,426, entitledCOMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS INVOLVING THE TYRAMINERECEPTOR; and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/870,385, entitledCOMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS.

Screening of Compositions

In some embodiments of the invention, the screening method for pestcontrol potential can target a molecule of an insect olfactory receptorprotein. In some embodiments of the invention, the screening method forpest control potential can target an insect olfactory receptor protein.The insect olfactory system includes more than 60 identified olfactoryreceptors. These receptors are generally members of a large family of Gprotein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

As used herein, a “receptor” is an entity on the cell membrane or withinthe cell, cytoplasm, or cell nucleus that can bind to a specificmolecule (a ligand), such as, for example, a neurotransmitter, hormone,or the like, and initiates the cellular response to the ligand.Ligand-induced changes in the behavior of receptor proteins can resultin physiological changes that constitute the biological actions of theligands.

In accordance with the present disclosure, receptors such as Gprotein-coupled receptors may be classified on the basis of bindingaffinity of the receptor to an active ingredient. This may also beexpressed as the binding affinity of the active ingredient for thereceptor. The binding affiity of an active ingredient for a receptor, orthe binding affinity of a receptor for an active ingredient, may bemeasured in accordance with methods disclosed herein or methods known tothose of skill in the art. As used in the present disclosure, a “low”affinity indicates that a high concentration of the active ingredientrelative to the receptor is required to maximally occupy the bindingsite of the receptor and trigger a physiological response, while a“high” affinity indicates that that a low concentration of the activeingredient relative to the receptor is adequate to maximally occupy thebinding site of the receptor and trigger a physiological response. A“high” affinity may correspond to, for example, an active ingredientconcentration of two or more orders of magnitude less than theconcentration of the receptor that is effective to trigger thephysiological response, while a “low” affinity may correspond to anactive ingredient concentration of one or more orders of magnitudegreater than the concentration of the receptor that is effective totrigger the physiological response.

Any insect cell or cell line can be used for the screening assay.Exemplary insect cell lines include but are not limited to SF9, SF21,T.ni, Drosophila S2 cells, and the like. Methods of culturing the insectcells are known in the art, and are described, for example, in Lynn etal., J. Insect Sci. 2002; 2: 9, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Methods of starting a new insect cell culture from a desiredinsect cell are described, for example, in Lynn et al. Cytotechnology.1996; 20:3-1 1, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Further discussion of various approaches to screening, preparing,evaluating, and using pest control formulations are disclosed in thefollowing applications, each of which is incorporated by reference inits entirety: U.S. application Ser. No. 10/832,022, entitledCOMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS; U.S. application Ser.No. 11/086,615, entitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLINGINSECTS RELATED TO THE OCTOPAMINE RECEPTOR; U.S. application Ser. No.11/365,426, entitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTSINVOLVING THE TYRAMINE RECEPTOR; U.S.

Provisional Application 60/807,600, entitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODSFOR CONTROLLING INSECTS; U.S. Provisional Application 60/805,963,entitled COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND METHODS OFSCREENING FOR SAME; U.S. Provisional Application 60/718,570, entitledCOMPOSITIONS HAVING INSECT CONTROL ACTIVITY AND METHODS FOR USE THEREOF.

In embodiments of the present invention, a Drosophila Schneider 2 (S2)cell line is stably transfected with a G protein-coupled receptor thatis amplified from Drosophila melanogaster head cDNA phage library. Thecell line can be used to screen potential active ingredients, asdescribed below.

Receptor binding can result in cellular changes down stream to thereceptor. The subsequent cellular changes may include alteredintracellular cAMP levels, calcium levels or both.

In some embodiments of the invention, the screening method for pestcontrol activity can target an insect olfactory receptor protein. Theinsect olfactory system includes more than 60 identified olfactoryreceptors. These receptors are generally members of a large family of Gprotein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

In Drosophila melanogaster, the olfactory receptors are located in twopairs of appendages located on the head of the fly. The family ofDrosophila chemoreceptors includes approximately 62 odorant receptor(Or) and 68 gustatory receptor (Gr) proteins, encoded by families ofapproximately 60 Or and 60 Gr genes through alternative splicing. Someof these receptor proteins have been functionally characterized, whileothers have been identified by sequence homology to other sequences buthave not been fully characterized. Other insects have similar olfactoryreceptor proteins.

In some embodiments, the insect olfactory receptor protein targeted bythe screening or pest control method of the invention is the tyraminereceptor (tyrR). In additional embodiments, the insect olfactoryreceptor protein is the insect olfactory receptor protein Or83b orOr43a. For example, the receptor can be any of the tyramine (Tyr^(R)),Or83b, or Or43a receptors referenced as SEQ ID NOs. 1-6 on pages 20-26of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005-0008714, published Jan. 13, 2005 andentitled COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS. In additionalembodiments, the targeted protein can be any of the insect olfactoryprotein receptors.

Additionally, other components of the insect olfactory receptor cascadecan be targeted using the method of the invention in order to identifyuseful pest control compounds. Exemplary insect olfactory cascadecomponents that can be targeted by methods of the invention include butare not limited to serotonin receptor, Or22a, Or22b, Gr5a, Gr21a, Gr61a,beta-arrestin receptor, GRK2 receptor, and tyramine beta-hydroxylasereceptor, and the like.

With reference to FIG. 22, an exemplary screening method for identifyingeffective pestcontrol compositions can make use of one or moretransfected cell lines expressing a receptor of interest, for example, abiogenic amine receptor, such as, a TyR or an octopamine receptor.

In some embodiments of the invention, isolated cell membranes expressingthe receptor of interest can be used in competitive binding assays.Whole cells can be used to study changes in signaling down-stream to thereceptor, in response to treatment with a test composition.

Embodiments of the invention can utilize prokaryotic and eukaryoticcells including, for example, bacterial cells, yeast cells, fungalcells, insect cells, nematode cells, plant cells, animal cells, and thelike. Suitable animal cells can include, for example, HEK cells, HeLacells, COS cells, U20S cells, CHO-K1 cells, various primary mammaliancells, and the like. An animal model expressing one or more conjugatesof an arrestin and a marker molecule, for example, throughout itstissues, within a particular organ or tissue type, or the like, can beused.

The potential for pest control activity can be identified by measuringthe affinity of the test compositions for the receptor in the cell linesexpressing a TyrR, Or83b, and/or Or43a. The potential for pest controlactivity can also be identified by measuring the change in intracellularcAMP and/or Ca2+ in the cell lines expressing TyrR, Or83b, and/or Or43afollowing treatment with the test compositions. The gene sequences ofthe TyrR, the Or 83b receptor and the Or 43a receptor have substantialsimilarity between various insect species. As such, the DrosophilaSchneider cell lines expressing these receptors can be used to screenfor compositions having pest control activity in various insect species.

Targeted Pests

The methods of embodiments of the invention can used to control any typeof target pest.

In some embodiments, the target pest is an insect. Exemplary insectsthat can be controlled include but are not limited to beetles,cockroaches, flies, ants, insect larvae, bees, lice, fleas, mosquitoes,moths, and the like. Exemplary insect orders can include but are notlimited to orders Acari, Anoplura, Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera,Collembola, Diptera, Grylloptera, Heteroptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera,Isopoda, Isoptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, Mallophaga, Neuroptera,Odonata, Orthoptera, Psocoptera, Siphonaptera, Symphyla, Thysanura, andThysanoptera and the like. Embodiments of the invention can also be usedto control, for example, the insects set forth in Table 5 on pages123-195 of WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/088827 (a publication of PCTApplication Serial No. PCT/US2008/000573, entitled PEST CONTROLCOMPOSITIONS AND METHODS, published on Jul. 24, 2008).

In some embodiments, the target pest is a parasite. Exemplary parasitesinclude, but are not limited to, protozoa (including intestinalprotozoa, tissue protozoa, and blood protozoa), helminthes and parasiticworms, including nematodes (roundworms) and platyhelminthes (flatworms).Examples of intestinal protozoa include, but are not limited to:Entamoeba hystolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium muris, andCryptosporidium parvum. Examples of tissue protozoa include, but are notlimited to: Trypanosomatida gambiense, Trypanosomatida rhodesiense,Trypanosomatida crusi, Leishmania mexicana, Leishmania braziliensis,Leishmania tropica, Leishmania donovani, Toxoplasma gondii, andTrichomonas vaginalis. Examples of blood protozoa include, but are notlimited to Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, andPlasmodium falciparum. Histomonas meleagridis is yet another example ofa protozoan parasite. Examples of nematodes include, but are not limitedto: animal and plant nematodes of the adenophorea class, such as theintestinal nematode Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) and the plantnematode Trichodorus obtusus (stubby-root nematode); intestinalnematodes of the secementea class, such as Ascaris lumbricoides,Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), Ancylostoma duodenale (hookworm),Necator americanus (hookworm), and Strongyloides stercoralis; tissuenematodes of the secementea class, such as Wuchereria bancrofti (Filariabancrofti) and Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm); Ascaris suum; andToxocara canis. Examples of plathyeminthes include, but are not limitedto: Trematodes (flukes), including blood flukes, such as Schistosomamansoni (intestinal Schistosomiasis), Schistosoma haematobium, andSchistosoma japonicum; liver flukes, such as Fasciola hepatica, andFasciola gigantica; intestinal flukes, such as Heterophyes heterophyes;and lung flukes such as Paragonimus westermani. Examples ofplatheminthes further include, but are not limited to: Cestodes(tapeworms), including Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, Hymenolepsisnana, and Echinococcus granulosus. Parasites also include ectoparasites,such as, for example, roundworms, worms, ticks, fleas, lice and otherorganisms found on an external orifice or found on or in a skin surface.Exemplary ectoparasites include, but are not limited to, Ctenocephalidesfelis, Dermacentor andersoni, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Aedes aegypti,Stomoxys calcitrans, and the like. Embodiments of the invention can alsobe used to control, for example, the parasites set forth on pages196-205 (including Table 6) of WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/088827,published on Jul. 24, 2008, or the like.

Embodiments of the invention can also be used to prevent or treatparasitic disease inflicted upon the parasite hosts set forth in Table 7on pages 205-232 of WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/088827, published onJul. 24, 2008, or the like.

Embodiments of the invention can be used to treat crops in order tolimit or prevent pest infestation. The crops that can be treated by thecompositions and methods disclosed herein include, but are not limitedto, the crops set forth in Table 8 on pages 232-239 of WIPO PublicationNo. WO 2008/008827, published on Jul. 24, 2008, or the like.

Modes of Administration or Dispensation

In the case of an animal, human or non-human, the host can also betreated directly by using a formulation of a composition that isdelivered orally. For example, a composition can be enclosed within aliquid capsule and ingested.

An area can be treated with a composition of the present invention, forexample, by using a spray formulation, such as an aerosol or a pumpspray, or a burning formulation, such as a candle or a piece of incensecontaining the composition. Of course, various treatment methods can beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, compositions can be comprised in householdproducts such as: air fresheners (including heated air fresheners inwhich insect repellent substances are released upon heating, e.g.,electrically, or by burning); hard surface cleaners; or laundry products(e.g., laundry detergent-containing compositions, conditioners). In someembodiments of the invention, an area can be treated, for example, viaaerial delivery, by truck-mounted equipment, or the like.

An exemplary dispenser of a system of the present invention can deliveran pest control composition to the atmosphere in a continuous mannerover a period of time. The exemplary dispenser can include a reservoirfor holding a pest control composition, and a wick for drawing thecomposition from the reservoir and releasing the pest controlcomposition into the atmosphere. The reservoir can be constructed from amaterial that is impermeable to the pest control composition, forexample, appropriate glass, ceramic, or polymeric materials can be used.The reservoir can include an aperture, which can be sealed or unsealed,as desired. When the exemplary system of the present invention is not inuse, the aperture can be sealed to prevent the release of the pestcontrol composition into the atmosphere. It may be desirable, forexample, to seal the aperture when the exemplary system is being storedor transported. When the system is in use, the aperture is unsealed,such that the wick can draw the pest control composition from thereservoir, and release the control composition through the aperture intothe atmosphere.

In some embodiments, the rate of release of the composition can becontrolled, for example, by making adjustments to the wick of thedispenser. For example, the surface area of the wick that is exposed tothe atmosphere can be altered. Generally, the greater the exposedsurface area, the greater the rate of release of the pest controlcomposition. In this regard, in some embodiments, the dispenser caninclude multiple wicks and the reservoir can include multiple aperturesthrough which the pest control composition can be released into theatmosphere. As another example, the wick can be constructed from aparticular material that draws the pest control composition from thereservoir and releases it into the environment at a desired rate, suchas, for example, a wick made of wood, a wick made of a synthetic fiber,or the like.

Another exemplary dispenser of a system of the present invention candeliver an pest control composition to a desired area. The dispenser caninclude a sealed pouch that can be constructed from a material that isimpermeable to the pest control composition, for example, a metallicfoil, a polymeric material, or the like. The pouch can define a volumefor holding the pest control composition. The composition can beprovided in a material disposed within the volume of the pouch, forexample, a sponge, a cloth saturated with the material, or the like.When it becomes desirable to place the exemplary system into use, thepouch can be unsealed, exposing the composition for release into theatmosphere or for application to a desired area.

In some embodiments, the pest control composition is provided in asaturated cloth within the pouch, which can be used to apply the controlcomposition a desired area. For example, a desired area can be ananimal, such as a human, a domestic animal, surfaces within a dwelling,an outdoor living area, or the like.

In some embodiments, the dispenser can further include a hook, allowingthe pouch and exposed control composition to be hung in a desiredlocation, such as in a closet or a pantry.

In some embodiments, a method of the present invention can deliverinsect an control composition to a desired area. In some embodiments, adispenser used with the method can be constructed from a substantiallyplanar, integral piece of material, having a first side that is coatedwith control composition, and a second side that is not coated withcontrol composition. The integral piece of material can be folded andsealed such that the side coated with the control composition iscontained within the volume defined by the sealed pouch. When the pouchis unsealed, the side that is coated with control composition isexposed. The substantially planar piece of material can be placed in adesired location to deliver control composition to the atmosphere, or tocrawling insects that walk across the material.

Another exemplary dispenser of a system of the present invention candeliver an pest control composition to a desired area. The controlcomposition can be incorporated into an appropriate material. In someembodiments, the composition-containing material can be a material thatis capable of controlling the release rate of the control composition,i.e., controlled-release material, allowing the control composition tobe released into the atmosphere at a desired rate that can be adjustedby providing controlled-release material having appropriatespecifications. The controlled-release material can be constructed froman appropriate polymer. In other embodiments the composition-containingmaterial does not allow the control composition to be released into theatmosphere, but rather retains the control composition. An optionalcasing that is impermeable to the pest control composition can beprovided to hold the composition-containing material until the system isready for use. When the system is ready for use, the casing can bepeeled away, exposing the composition-containing material. Thecomposition-containing material can be placed in a desired location todeliver control composition to crawling insects that walk across thematerial, or to deliver the control composition to the atmosphere when acontrolled-release material is used, e.g., control flying insects.

In some embodiments, the composition-containing material can have asubstantially planar design, appropriate for positioning adjacent amattress for controlling bed bugs, e.g., Cimex lectularius. Asubstantially planar design can also be used, for example, as or with apicnic table cloth. In some embodiments, the composition-containingmaterial can be used as ground cover for a garden bed or adjacent cropplants to control weeds. In some embodiments, the composition-containingmaterial can take the shape of a bag, and could be used for trashcollection, while controlling insect commonly attracted to householdgarbage or other trash.

Another exemplary dispenser of a system of the present invention can bea substantially dry sheet containing the control composition, whichcontrol composition can be applied to a desired location upon exposingthe cloth to water or an aqueous liquid, e.g., perspiration. In someembodiments, the dry sheet containing the control composition candissolve into a cream or gel when exposed to water or an aqueous liquid,which can then be applied to a desired area. For example, a desired areacan be an animal, such as a human, a domestic animal, or another animal.

Identification of Components for Making an Improved Pest Control Agent

Embodiments of the invention are also directed to making an improvedpest control agent by identifying one or more fractions in a complexagent, screening the one or more fractions using the methods disclosedherein, and characterizing the one or more fractions as having apositive or negative effect on potential activity against a target pest.

In some embodiments, one or more fractions in a complex agent (such as,for example, an essential oil) can be isolated using fractionationtechniques including, for example, differential solvent extraction,fractional distillation, fractional crystallization, fractionalfreezing, dry fractionation, detergent fractionation, solventextraction, supercritical CO₂ fractionation, vacuum distillation, columnchromatography, reverse-phase chromatography, high-pressure liquidchromatography, and the like. These methods are known to those of skillin the art. Vacuum distillation is preferred, because it is relativelysimple to employ and does not require the use of solvents.

In some embodiments, one or more fractions of a complex agent can beisolated by column chromatography using silica or alumina solid support.An organic solvent, including for example, alkanes such as hexanes andpetroleum ether, toluene, methylene chloride (or other halogenatedhydrocarbons), diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, alcohol, aceticacid, and the like, can be used alone or in combination as the columnsolvent, or mobile phase. In some embodiments, the complex agent isfractionated by column chromatography using an increasing concentrationof a polar solvent as eluting solvent. Methods of column chromatographyand solvents common for its use are well known in the art.

In some embodiments, a complex agent, such as a plant essential oil, canbe isolated by solvent extraction. For example, an essential oil can becombined with an organic solvent, including, for example an organicsolvent such as acetic acid, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, 1-butanol,2-butanol, 2-butanone, t-butyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride,chlorobenzene, chloroform, cyclohexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, diethylether, diethylene glycol, diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether),1,2-dimethoxy-ethane (glyme, DME), dimethylether, dimethyl-formamide(DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dioxane, ethanol, ethyl acetate,ethylene glycol, glycerin, heptane, hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA),hexamethylphosphorous triamide (HMPT), hexane, methanol, methyl t-butylether (MTBE), methylene chloride, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP),nitromethane, pentane, petroleum ether (ligroine), 1-propanol,2-propanol, pyridine, tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene, triethyl amine,water, heavy water, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene. Other organicsolvents known to those of skill in the art can also be employed. Themixture of the essential oil and the organic solvent can then becombined with an extraction solvent that is not miscible in the organicsolvent, including, for example, water, ethanol, and methanol. Thiscombination is shaken vigorously in a glass container such as aseparatory funnel for several minutes, then allowed to settle intoseparate phases for several minutes. The lower, more dense phase is thenallowed to drain from the separatory funnel. The organic phase can thenbe repeatedly reextracted with the extraction solvent to furtherpartition compounds that are soluble in the extraction solvent from theorganic phase. The volume of the organic phase and the extracted phasecan then be reduced in volume using rotary evaporation, yielding twoseparate fractions of the plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, a method of making an improved agent against atarget pest can include the following: a fraction of a complex agentwith activity against a target pest is isolated. This fraction isrecombined with proportionally smaller volumes of the remainingfractions of the complex agent, such that the components of the fractionare enriched in the recombined complex agent relative to theunfractionated complex agent. A cell expressing Drosophila TyrR isprovided and is contacted with the recombined complex agent. At leastone parameter selected from the following parameters is measured:competitive inhibition of tyramine binding by TyrR, intracellular cAMPlevel, and intracellular Ca²⁺ level. In parallel, the same parameter ismeasured in cells contacted with a volume of the unfractionated complexagent that is equivalent to the test volume of the recombined complexagent. The magnitude of the specific parameter measured in the cellscontacted with the recombined complex agent is compared with themagnitude of the parameter measured in parallel cells contacted with theunfractionated complex agent. If the magnitude of this parameter ishigher for the recombined agent, the comparison indicates that one ormore active ingredients with an ability to modulate the activity of thetyramine receptor are enriched in the recombined agent with respect tothe concentration of the active ingredients in the unfractionated agent.Thus this comparison identifies the recombined agent as an improvedagent against a target pest. If the magnitude of this parameter is lowerfor the recombined agent, the comparison indicates that one or moreactive ingredients with an ability to modulate the activity of thetyramine receptor are diluted in the recombined agent with respect tothe concentration of the active ingredients in the unfractionated agent.In this case, the comparison indicates that the recombination of theisolated fraction with proportionally larger, rather than smaller,volumes of the remaining fractions generates an improved agent against atarget pest.

Thus, in some embodiments, a method of identifying an improved agentagainst a target pest can include the isolation of a fraction of acomplex agent followed by recombination of this fraction withproportionally larger volumes of the remaining fractions, such that thecomponents of the fraction are diluted in the recombined complex agentrelative to the unfractionated complex agent. A cell expressingDrosophila TyrR is provided and is contacted with the recombined complexagent. At least one parameter selected from the following parameters ismeasured: competitive inhibition of tyramine binding by TyrR,intracellular cAMP level, and intracellular Ca²⁺ level. In parallel, thesame parameter is measured in cells contacted with a volume of theunfractionated complex agent that is equivalent to the test volume ofthe recombined complex agent. The magnitude of the specific parametermeasured in the cells contacted with the recombined complex agent iscompared with the magnitude of the parameter measured in parallel cellscontacted with the unfractionated complex agent. If the magnitude of theparameter is higher for the recombined agent, the comparison indicatesthat one or more active ingredients with an ability to modulate theactivity of the tyramine receptor are enriched in the recombined agentwith respect to the concentration of the active ingredients in theunfractionated agent. In this case, an improved agent against a targetpest is generated by reducing the relative abundance of the isolatedfraction.

In some embodiments, a method for identifying an improved agent againsta target pest can include the identification of the compounds present ineither a complex agent or individual isolated fractions of a complexagent and screening of the ingredient compounds for their ability tobind or mediate the activity of an insect olfactory receptor.Identification of the compounds can be performed by analyzing thecomplex agent or an isolated fraction thereof by High-Performance LiquidChromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC) coupled with MassSpectrometry (MS). Ingredient compounds can also be identified by firstenriching or purifying individual ingredients to homogeneity usingtechniques including, for example, differential solvent extraction,fractional distillation, vacuum distillation, fractionalcrystallization, fractional freezing, dry fractionation, detergentfractionation, solvent extraction, supercritical CO₂ fractionation,column chromatography, reverse-phase chromatography, high-pressureliquid chromatography, and the like. Enriched or purified components canbe identified using spectroscopy techniques, including, for example,infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magneticresonance spectroscopy (NMR), and the like.

Some embodiments relate to the use of chemical derivatives or analogs ofchemicals identified in plant essential oils to generate an improvedagent against a target pest. Chemical derivatives of the chemicalsidentified in plant essential oils can include compounds derivatizedwith an inorganic or organic functional group. In some embodiments, thechemical derivative is a compound derivatized with an organic functionalgroup. In some embodiments, the organic functional group can be an alkylgroup. In some embodiments, the organic functional group can be amethyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, ceryl, decyl, heptyl, hexyl, myricyl,myristyl, nonyl, octyl, palmityl, pentyl, stearyl, isopropyl, isobutyl,lignoceryl, pentacosyl, heptacosyl, montanyl, nonacosyl, pentan-2-yl,isopentyl, 3-methylbutan-2-yl, tert-pentyl, neopentyl, undecyl,tridecyl, pentadecyl, margaryl, nonadecyl, arachidyl, henicosyl,behenyl, tricosyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropyl group, or the like. In someembodiments, the organic functional group can be an aryl group. In someembodiments, the organic functional group can be a phenyl orbiphenyl-4-yl group.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is a halogenated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil. In some embodiments, the chemicalderivative is a fluorinated, chlorinated, brominated, or iodinatedderivative.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is an alkenylated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil. In some embodiments, the chemicalderivative is an oleylated, allylated, isopropenylated, vinylated,prenylated, or phytylated derivative.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is a hydroxylated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is a thiolated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is a carboxylated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is an amidated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is an esterified derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is acylated derivative of a compound identifiedin a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical derivative that is a sulfonated derivative of a compoundidentified in a plant essential oil.

In some embodiments, the improved agent against a target pest includes achemical analogue of a compound identified in a plant essential oil. Achemical analogue can be identified using readily available chemicaldatabases such as ChemBioFiner.com (copyright 2008 CambridgeSoftCorporation).

Compounds identified as ingredients of a plant essential oil, orchemical derivative thereof, can be obtained by commercial suppliers,including, for example Sigma Aldrich, Fluka, Fisher, Novabiochem, TCIAmerica, Acros, Lancaster, and Alfa Aesar.

Compounds can then be screened for activity against a target pest byusing the methods disclosed herein. For example, a compound can bescreened for activity against a target pest by contacting a cellexpressing an olfactory receptor with the compound and measuring aparameter such as competitive inhibition of a receptor-ligand bindinginteraction, intracellular cAMP level, and intracellular Ca²⁺ level, asdescribed in the screening methods disclosed herein. In someembodiments, competitive inhibition of tyramine binding by theDrosophila tyramine receptor (TyrR) is measured. In some embodiments,allosteric binding to target receptors can be measured. In someembodiments, screening of compounds can be performed in ahigh-throughput manner by assaying cells cultured in microtiter plates,such as 386-well or 96-well plates. Methods of screening are well knownin the art.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cell used to determine theactivity of a compound related to target pest control can be any cellcapable of being transfected with and express an insect olfactoryreceptor, including, for example, TyrR, Or83b, Or43a, and the like.Examples of cells include, but are not limited to: insect cells, such asDrosophila Schneider cells, Drosophila Schneider 2 cells (S2 cells), andSpodoptera frugiperda cells (e.g., Sf9 or Sf21); or mammalian cells,such as Human Embryonic Kidney cells (HEK-293 cells), African greenmonkey kidney fibroblast cells (COS-7 cells), HeLa Cells, and HumanKeratinocyte cells (HaCaT cells).

The TyrR can be a full-length TyrR, a functional fragment of a TyrR, ora functional variant of a TyrR. A functional fragment of a TyrR is aTyrR in which amino acid residues are deleted as compared to thereference polypeptide, i.e., full-length TyrR, but where the remainingamino acid sequence retains the binding affinity of the referencepolypeptide for tyramine. A functional variant of a TyrR is a TyrR withamino acid insertions, amino acid deletions, or conservative amino acidsubstitutions, that retains the binding affinity of the referencepolypeptide for tyramine. A “conservative amino acid substitution” is asubstitution of an amino acid residue with a functionally similarresidue. Examples of conservative substitutions can include, forexample, the substitution of one non-polar (hydrophobic) residue such asisoleucine, valine, leucine or methionine for another; the substitutionof one polar (hydrophilic) residue for another such as between arginineand lysine, between glutamine and asparagine, between glycine andserine; the substitution of one basic residue such as lysine, arginineor histidine for another; the substitution of one acidic residue, suchas aspartic acid or glutamic acid for another, and the like. Aconservative amino acid substitution can also include replacing aresidue with a chemically derivatized residue, provided that theresulting polypeptide retains the binding affinity of the referencepolypeptide for tyramine. Examples of TyrRs can include, for example:TyrRs, such as, Drosophila melanogaster TyrR (GENBANK® accession number(GAN) CAA38565), Locusta migratoria TyrR (GAN: Q25321), TyrRs of otherinvertebrates, TyrRs of nematodes, and the like.

Exemplary screening methods can include “positive” screening, where, forexample, compositions that bind a receptor of interest are selected.Exemplary screening methods can include “negative” screening, where, forexample, compositions that bind a receptor of interest are rejected. Anexemplary method can include: selecting a composition that binds a TyrR.Another exemplary method can include: selecting a composition that bindsa TyrR and does not bind an octopamine receptor.

In some embodiments of the invention, the efficacy of a test compositioncan be determined by conducting studies with insects. For example, theefficacy of a test composition for repelling an insect can be studiedusing controlled experiments wherein insects are exposed to the testcomposition. In some embodiments, the toxicity of a test compositionagainst an insect can be studied using controlled experiments whereininsects are exposed to the test composition.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent thatmodifications, variations, and equivalent embodiments are possiblewithout departing the scope of the invention defined in the appendedclaims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in thepresent disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrateembodiments of the invention disclosed herein. It should be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in theexamples that follow represent approaches that have been found tofunction well in the practice of the invention, and thus can beconsidered to constitute examples of modes for its practice. However,those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure,appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodimentsthat are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1 In Vitro Synergistic Response to a Blend Containing NaturalIngredients

A blend of oils, denoted as Blend 27 (also referred to in the figures as“B7001” or “Armor Lead Blend”), was prepared and set aside. Thecomposition of this blend in weight percent format is provided below:

TABLE A Blend 27 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 80-56-8 Alpha-Pinene,98%  3.78% 78-70-6 Linalool Coeur  6.63% Canola Oil  24.0% 99-87-6Para-Cymene 28.39% 89-83-8 Thymol 37.17%

where soy bean oil (CAS 8016-70-4) can also be substituted for canolaoil.

The blend (at a final concentration of 0.5 mg/mL) was tested on aDrosophila Scheider 2 (“S2”) cell line that was stably transfected witha DNA encoding a tyramine receptor that was amplified from a Drosophilamelanogaster head cDNA phage library (“droTyrR”). The intracellularcalcium levels (“[Ca²⁺]_(i)”) in the treated S2 cells were then measuredas a function of time. As a comparison, the a solution of carrier(canola oil, final concentration=0.12 mg/mL) and a solution ofsurfactant (sugar ester OWA-1570) in insect saline were testedseparately. The results indicated that treatment with Blend 27 resultedin a synergistic increase in Ca²⁺ release triggered by olfactoryreceptor activation in Drosophila S2 cells in comparison to carrieralone and surfactant alone (FIG. 1).

In a separate set of experiments, the blend (at a final concentration of0.5 mg/mL) was tested on a Drosophila Scheider 2 (“S2”) cell line thatwas stably transfected with droTyrR DNA, and the intracellular calciumlevels (“[Ca²⁺]_(i)”) in the treated S2 cells were then measured as afunction of time. As a comparison, the individual ingredients of theblend (A=thymol, B=para-cymene, C=linalool coeur, D=alpha-pinene (or“α-pinene”)), were each tested separately on the cells at the same finalconcentration as that of the blend. In addition, a solution ofsurfactant (sugar ester OWA-1570) in insect saline was testedseparately. The results indicated that treatment with Blend 27 resultedin a synergistic increase in Ca²⁺ release triggered by olfactoryreceptor activation in Drosophila S2 cells in comparison to that causedby administration of the individual ingredients or of the surfactantalone (FIG. 2).

In yet another separate set of experiments, the blend (at a finalconcentration of 0.5 mg/mL) was tested on a Drosophila Scheider 2 (“S2”)cell line that was stably transfected with droTyrR DNA, and theintracellular calcium levels (“[Ca²⁺]_(i)”) in the treated S2 cells werethen measured as a function of time. As a comparison, the individualingredients of the blend (A=thymol, B=para-cymene, C=linalool coeur,D=alpha-pinene (or “α-pinene”)), were each tested separately on thecells at final concentrations that reflected the % (v/v) in which theyare found in the blend. In addition, a solution of surfactant (sugarester OWA-1570) in insect saline was tested separately. The resultsindicated that treatment with Blend 27 resulted in a synergisticincrease in Ca²⁺ release triggered by olfactory receptor activation inDrosophila S2 cells in comparison to that caused by administration ofthe individual ingredients or of the surfactant alone (FIG. 3).

Example 2 Synergistic Response to a Blend Containing Natural Ingredientson Ascaris suum

Blend 27 (also referred to in the figures as “B7001” or “Armor LeadBlend”) was prepared and set aside as described (Example 1). The blend,as well as solutions containing individual ingredients (A=thymol,B=para-cymene, C=linalool coeur, D=alpha-pinene (or “α-pinene”),carrier=canola oil) that make up the blend, were administered to theendoparasite Ascaris suum in RPMI 1640 culture media containingantibiotics and antimycotic agents (10 worms per test). The finalconcentration of the blend tested was 10 μg/mL, while the finalconcentrations of the individual ingredients reflected the % (v/v) inwhich they are found in the blend. As a control, a solution ofsurfactant (sugar ester OWA-1570) was tested separately. The resultsindicated that treatment with Blend 27 resulted in a synergistic effecton the mortality of the endoparasites compared to that observed withadministration of the individual ingredients or carrier alone (FIG. 4).

Example 3 Synergistic Response to Blends Containing Natural Ingredientson Various Endoparasites

Blend 27 (also referred to in the figures as “B7001” or “Armor LeadBlend”) was prepared and set aside as described (Example 1). A separateblend of oils, denoted as Blend 58, was prepared and set aside. Thecomposition of this blend in weight percent format is provided below:

TABLE B Blend 58 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 99-87-6 Para-Cymene 1.870% 80-56-8 Alpha-Pinene, 98%  4.664% 4180-23-8 Trans-Anethole19.305% 89-83-8 Thymol 36.719% 78-70-6 Linalool Coeur 37.442%

Various amounts of each blend (to achieve a final concentration rangingfrom 0.1 μg/mL to 10 μg/mL) were administered to the endoparasiteAscaris suum in RPMI 1640 culture media containing antibiotics andantimycotic agents (3 worms per test). The worms were then checked at 30minutes, 120 minutes, 320 minutes and 72 hours after administration ofthe blends to determine the numbers of worms killed by the addition ofthe blend. As a control, a solution of surfactant (sugar ester OWA 1570)was tested separately. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the results show thatat high concentrations of the blends (10 μg/mL), the worms died within30 minutes. At the intermediate concentrations (1 μg/mL, 0.5 μg/mL), theeffect of the administered blends on worm mortality were observed within6 hours of administration, while at the lowest concentrations (0.1μg/mL), the mortality effect was observed within 3 days.

A similar experiment was conducted on Toxocara canis, an endoparasitethat infects canine dogs. Groups of 6 worms incubated in culture mediawere exposed to 10 μg/mL or 1 μg/mL of Blend 58 or to 10 μg/mL ofsurfactant control, and the worms were then checked at various timesafter administration of the compositions to determine the numbers ofworms killed by the addition of the blend. Worms exposed to the high andlow concentrations of Blend 58 died within 30 minutes of exposure, whileworms which were administered surfactant control were viable andcontinued to move vigorously throughout a 3 day observation period.

Thus, these results indicate that various blends containing naturalingredients are effective in treating endoparasites.

Example 4 Synergistic Response to a Blend Containing Natural Ingredientson Hymenolepsis nana

Blend 27 was prepared and set aside as described (Example 1), exceptthat soybean oil was used in place of canola oil. The blend, as well assolutions containing individual ingredients (1=thymol, 2=para-cymene,3=linalool coeur, 4=alpha-pinene (or “α-pinene”), 5=soybean oil) thatmake up the blend, were administered to mice infected with theendoparasite Hymenolepsis nana. About 25 animals were tested perexperimental group, and each animal was injected with 200 viable eggs ofH. nana prior to treatment with the blend of solutions containingindividual ingredient (final concentration=100 mg/kg of body weight). Abackground infection number was established by infecting about 25animals with H. nana. The cure rate (“% Cure Rate”) for each testedblend or solution was calculated based on the number of treated animalswhich were found to be free from H. nana eggs and worms divided by thetotal number of infected animals found in the background infectiongroup. The results indicated that treatment with Blend 27 (containingsoybean oil) resulted in a synergistic effect on the cure rate of theendoparasites compared to that observed with administration of theindividual ingredients alone (FIG. 6).

Example 5 Prophylaxis and Treatment of Hymenolepsis nana Infection UsingVarious Dosages of a Blend Containing Natural Ingredients

Blend 27 was prepared and set aside as described (Example 1). The blendwas then used in various treatment and prophylaxis protocols as outlinedin FIG. 7. Briefly, in Protocol 1, Blend 27 was administered in variousamounts (ranging from 1 mg/kg of body weight to 100 mg/kg of bodyweight) to mice for three weeks, followed by infection of each animalwith 200 viable eggs of H. nana and an 2-week incubation period duringwhich no administration of test compositions was performed. During thethird week post-infection, the stool of the treated and infected micewere examined, and the mice were then sacrified at the end of the thirdweek to ascertain cure rate. In Protocol 2, Blend 27 was administered invarious amounts as described for three weeks, followed by infection ofeach animal with 200 viable eggs of H. nana. During the 2 weekincubation period following infection, the animals continued to betreated with the blend compositions at the various test amounts. Duringthe third week post-infection, administration of the compositions wasstopped, and the stool of the treated and infected mice were examined.The mice were then sacrified at the end of the third week to ascertaincure rate. In Protocol 3, Blend 27 was at administered in variousamounts as described for three days, followed by infection of eachanimal with 200 viable eggs of H. nana. During the 2 week incubationperiod following infection, the animals continued to be treated with theblend compositions at the various test amounts. During the third weekpost-infection, administration of the compositions was stopped, and thestool of the treated and infected mice were examined. The mice were thensacrified at the end of the third week to ascertain cure rate. Abackground infection number was established by infecting untreatedanimals with 200 viable eggs of H. nana.

The results are illustrated in FIG. 8. It was found that an administereddose of 1 mg/kg of body weight administered according to Protocol 2resulted in a 78% H. nana egg reduction but a 0% cure rate (where theanimal is free from eggs and worms). In contrast, a dose of 10 mg/kg ofbody weight administered according to Protocol 2 resulted in a 79% H.nana egg reduction and a 91% cure rate. Finally, doses of 20 mg/kg ofbody weight and 100 mg/kg of body weight administered according toProtocol 3 resulted in comparable cure rates, although the higher doseresulted in a greater percentage of egg reduction than the lower dose.These results indicate that the blend containing natural ingredients iseffective both in curing and preventing H. nana infections in animals.

Example 6 Initial Safety Assessment of a Blend Containing NaturalIngredients

Blend 27 was prepared and set aside as described (Example 1). The blendwas administered to animals infected with the endoparasite H. nana at adose of 100 mg/kg of body weight for a period of 5 weeks. A controlcontained infected animals that did not receive any treatment. Data wascollected from both groups during the treatment period until the animalswere sacrificed. The collected data and observations included: bloodsamples, fetal matter consistency, change in water intake, change infood intake and change in body weight. In addition, the animals weremonitored for internal bleeding.

The results of blood analysis throughout the 5-week administrationperiod indicated that no significant physiological differences werefound between non-treated infected animals compared to infected animalsthat received treatment. In addition, relative to the control group ofanimals, the infected and treated animals appeared to have: (1) normalappearance in fecal matter consistency, (2) normal consumption in waterintake, (3) normal consumption in food intake, and (4) no significantdifference in body weight. Finally, no internal bleeding was observed inthe infected and treated animals.

Thus, the results indicate that the blend containing natural ingredientsare safe and do not introduce any significant medical risks.

Example 7 Treatment of Hymenolepsis nana Infection Using Various Dosagesof an Encapsulated Blend Containing Natural Ingredients

Blend 27 (also referred to in the figures as “Armor Blend (B7001)”) wasprepared and set aside as described (Example 1). The blend was thenencapsulated according to standard protocols using either zein, shellac,or a combination of 25% zein/75% shellac. The encapsulated blends werethen administered to mice infected with the endoparasite H. nana invarious daily dosages ranging from 1 mg/day to 5 mg/day. The cure ratewas then calculated based on the number of mice found to be free of H.nana eggs and worms at the conclusion of treatment relative to thenumber of mice that were infected. In addition, the % reduction in eggcount was also determined for the treated animals.

The results are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. It was found that allthree encapsulation formulations of the blend were effective in curingH. nana infection relative to a infected control group which did notreceive treatment. In addition, the encapsulation formulations of theblend were found to be effective in reducing the H. nana egg countsrelative to that of the untreated but infected control group. A separateanalysis was conducted on the encapsulated formulations to ascertain thevolume percent ranges of the individual ingredients of the blend.Although the individual ingredients were found in varying volumepercentages in each encapsulated formulation, the results indicate thatthe blend retained anti-parasitic activity. Briefly, an appropriatetarget range for each ingredient of the blend was observed as follows:(“Chemical A”) alpha-pinene: 4.2% (v/v) to 6.8% (v/v); (“Chemical B”)para-cymene: 22.0% (v/v) to 38.1% (v/v); (“Chemical C”) linalool: 7.8%(v/v) to 14.9% (v.v); and (“Chemical D”) thymol: 42.8% (v/v) to 64.4%(v/v).

Example 8 Residual Activity of Various Blends Containing NaturalIngredients Against the Common Cat Flea

Various blends containing natural ingredients were tested for theirresidual effects, i.e., ability to affecting pest control for anextended period of time. Two blends, denoted Blend 11A (referred to inthe figures as “25b/4a (B5028)”) and Blend 8 (referred to in the figuresas “25b/4b”) were prepared and set aside. The compositions of theseblends in weight percent format is provided below:

TABLE C Blend 11A from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 8007-46-3 Thymol OilWhite 20.59% 110-27-0 Isopropyl myristate 34.29% 68917-75-9 WintergreenOil 45.11%

TABLE D Blend 8 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 8007-46-3 Thymol OilWhite 12.38% 68917-75-9 Wintergreen Oil 31.32% 5989-27-5 D-limonene56.30%

Forty (40) insects (Ctenocephalides felis, or the common cat flea) wereintroduced to various test surfaces coated with a formulation (dilutedto a final concentration of 30% (v/v)) as described above. Briefly, theformulations were first applied with a pipettor to each test surface ina uniform manner equivalent to an application rate of 1 gallon per 1000square feet. Two hours after application of the blend or commercialagent, 10 insects were placed on each treated surface, and kill efficacywas measured at about 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours and 24 hours aftercontinuous exposure to the treated surface. The insects were confined tothe surface of the panel by placing a mesh-topped container over theinsects on the panel. Four replicates of each product were tested onfour (4) individual panels, with 10 insects per replicate being testedon each panel.

The residual activity, expressed based on mortality, is set forth inFIG. 11. The results indicate that Blend 11A (“25b/4a (B5028)”) waseffective in killing the insects within 30 minutes of exposure on alltest surfaces. Blend 8 (“Blend 25b/4b”) was effective in killing theinsects within 30 minutes of exposure on stainless steel and collagenmembrane surfaces but less so on the vinyl test surface. Both blendswere as effective in killing the insects within 30 minutes of exposureas a commercial blend (“Sergeant's Nature's Guardian Flea and Tick”),indicating that the blends containing natural ingredients can beemployed as an effective substitute for commercial blends containingsynthetic ingredients.

Example 9 Comparison of a Blend Containing Natural Ingredients with aCommercial Agent Against the Common Cat Flea

A blend containing natural ingredients was compared against a commercialagent (“Sergeant's Nature's Guardian Flea and Tick”) for the ability tocontrol Ctenocephalides felis, or the common cat flea. A blend, denotedBlend 75 (referred to in the figures as “F-4002”), was prepared and setaside. The compositions of the blend in weight percent format isprovided below:

TABLE E Blend 75 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 11138-66-2 Xanthan Gum0.275% 590-00-1 or Potassium Sorbate    1% 24634-61-5 Blend 74  16.9%7732-18-5 Water 81.82%

The blend (Blend 74) used to make Blend 75 contains the compositions inweight percent format as provided below:

TABLE F Blend 74 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 8002-43-5 Lecithin0.20% 9007-48-1 Polyglycerol-4-oleate 0.90% 7732-18-5 Water  9.8% Blend11A 89.1%

The composition of Blend 11A is as described in Example 8.

The blend or the commercial agent (at a final concentration of 5% (v/v)or 2.5% (v/v) was sprayed onto a collagen membrane surface and allowedto dry. The insects were then introduced onto the treated surface, andmortality was determined at 1 hour, 4 hours and 24 hours after exposure.A control surface was treated with an application of water containing 1%sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). aInsert example disclosure.

The results are illustrated in FIG. 12. As indicated in the figure, bothconcentrations of Blend 75 (“F-4002”) were as effective as thecommercial agent at the same comparison concentrations in killing theinsects at 1, 4 and 24 hours after exposure to the treated surface. Theresults indicate that the blend containing natural ingredients can beemployed as an effective substitute for commercial blends containingsynthetic ingredients.

Example 10 Comparison of a Blend Containing Natural Ingredients with aCommercial Agent Against the Wood Tick

A blend containing natural ingredients was compared against a commercialagent (“Sergeant's Nature's Guardian Flea and Tick”) for the ability tocontrol Dermacentor andersoni, or the wood tick. Blend 75 (referred toin the figures as “F-4002”) was prepared as described (Example 9).

The blend or the commercial agent (at a final concentration of 5% (v/v)or 2.5% (v/v) was sprayed onto a collagen membrane surface or astainless steel surface and allowed to dry. The insects were thenintroduced onto the treated surface, and mortality was determined at 30minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours and 24 hours after exposure. A controlsurface was treated with an application of water containing 1% sodiumlauryl sulfate (SLS). aInsert example disclosure.

The results are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. As indicated in FIG. 13,for the collagen membrane surface, both concentrations of Blend 75(“F-4002”) were as effective as the commercial agent at the samecomparison concentrations in killing the insects at 1, 4 and 24 hoursafter exposure to the treated surface. As illustrated in FIG. 14, forthe stainless steel surface, the blend was more effective than thecommercial agent at the same comparison concentration in killing theinsects at all the observation times.

Thus, the results indicate that the blend containing natural ingredientscan be employed as an effective substitute for commercial blendscontaining synthetic ingredients.

Example 11 Residual Activity of a Blend Containing Natural IngredientsAgainst the Wood Tick

A blend containing natural ingredients was compared against a commercialagent (“Sergeant's Nature's Guardian Flea and Tick”) for the ability tocontrol Dermacentor andersoni, or the wood tick. Blend 75 (referred toin the figures as “F-4002”) was prepared as described (Example 9).

The blend or the commercial agent (at a final concentration of 5% (v/v)or 2.5% (v/v) was sprayed onto a stainless steel surface and allowed todry. The insects were then introduced onto the treated surface, andmortality was determined at 72 hours after exposure. A control surfacewas treated with an application of water containing 1% sodium laurylsulfate (SLS).

The residual activity, expressed based on mortality, is set forth inFIG. 15. The results indicate that, at a final concentration of 5%(v/v), Blend 75 (“F-4002”) was as effective in killing the insectswithin 72 hours of exposure as the commercial agent. In addition, at afinal concentration of 2.5% (v/v), Blend 75 was more effective inkilling the insects within 72 hours of exposure as the commercial agentexposure on all test surfaces. The results thus indicate that a blendcontaining natural ingredients can be employed as an effectivesubstitute for commercial blends containing synthetic ingredients incontrolling the wood tick.

Example 12 Comparison of the Activity of Various Blends ContainingNatural Ingredients and Commercial Agents Against Various Ectoparasites

Various blends containing natural ingredients were compared against acommercial agent (“Sentry-Natural Defense”) for the ability to controlCtenocephalides felis, or the common cat flea and Rhipicephalussanguineus (a tick). The various blends, denoted Blends 19 (referred toin the figures as “HL1”), 6 (referred to in the figures as “HL3”), 11A(referred to in the figures as “B5028”), 42 (referred to in the figuresas “AAT”) and 123 (referred to in the figures as “AAT Plus”), wereprepared and set aside. The compositions of the remaining blends inweight percent format are provided below:

TABLE G Blend 19 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 5989-27-5 D-Limonene27.35% 8007-46-3 Thyme Oil White 30.08% Lilac Flower Oil 42.57% (LFO)

TABLE H Blend 6 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 121-33-5 Vanillin  0.8%120-57-0 Piperonal  3.2% 106-24-1 Geraniol  4.3% 78-70-6 Linalool Coeur 6.4% 78-69-3 Tetrahydrolinalool  7.8% 5989-27-5 D-Limonene  8.8%110-27-0 Isopropyl myristate  9.5% 977017-84-7 Black Seed Oil (BSO)26.2% 119-36-8 Methyl salicyclate   33%

TABLE I Blend 42 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 540-18-1 Amyl butyrate 23.04% 8007-46-3 Thyme Oil White 24.747% Anise Star of Oil 52.213%

TABLE J Blend 123 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt Genistein  0.01%540-18-1 Amyl butyrate 23.04% 8007-46-3 Thyme Oil White 24.75% AniseStar of Oil  52.2%

The composition of Blend 11A is as described in Example 8.

Each blend or commercial agent was diluted to a final concentration of7.4% (v/v) in a diluant solution of 40% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol and 60%(v/v) isopropyl myristate. The target dose rate of each agent was 3grams/kg of body weight, as applied on day 0. About 24 hours aftertreatment, 100 fleas (Ctenocephalis felis) and 50 ticks (Rhipicephalussanguineus) were applied to three dogs in each experimental group. Thenumber of insects were counted 24 hours after infestation with timedbody counts without removal or destruction of the pests. After anadditional 48 hour period, the number of insects were counted againbefore being subsequently removed and destroyed. Individual efficacyvalues were calculated as a percent reduction from the mean countobtained from the control (untreated group).

The results are illustrated in FIG. 16. As shown, the blends containingthe natural ingredients were comparable to the commercial agent inkilling fleas and ticks at 2-days and 4-days post treatment. The resultsthus indicate that a blend containing natural ingredients can beemployed as an effective substitute for commercial blends containingsynthetic ingredients in controlling the fleas and ticks.

Example 13 Comparison of the Activity of a Blend Containing NaturalIngredients with Commercial Agents Against Mosquitoes

Various formulations of a blend containing natural ingredients werecompared against a commercial agent (“OffSkintastic”) for the ability torepel Aedes aegypti (or the mosquito). The blend, denoted Blend 4 (alsoreferred to in the figures as “XL101”), was prepared and set aside. Thecompositions of the blend in weight percent format are provided below:

TABLE K Blend 4 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 977017-84-7 Black SeedOil (BSO) 49.87% Lilac Flower Oil 50.13% (LFO)

“XL101Natural” denotes Blend 4 diluted to a final concentration of 30%(v/v) in a diluent containing water and surfactant (1% SLS). “XL101D”denotes Blend 4 diluted to a final concentration of 30% (v/v) indenatured alcohol.

The various formulations or commercial agent were applied to human skinsurface with a brush at a dose of 1 mL/450 cm². All formulations wereprovided at a final concentration of 30% (v/v). The skin surface wasthen exposed to mosquitoes for 2-minute biting counts at 0, 1, 2, 4 and6 hours post-treatment with the blends or commercial agent. Asillustrated in FIG. 17, Blend 4 (“XL101”), particularly the formulationin denatured alcohol, was comparable or more effective than thecommercial agent in repelling mosquitoes. Thus, the results indicatethat a blend containing natural ingredients can be employed as aneffective substitute for commercial blends containing syntheticingredients in repelling mosquitoes.

Example 14 Comparison of the Duration of Repellency of a CreamFormulation of a Blend Containing Natural Ingredients with a CommercialAgent

Blend 4 was prepared as described (Example 13) and set aside. The blendwas formulated into various skin cream formulation that contained 25%(v/v) of the blend.

The various skin cream formulations of Blend 4 (referred to in thefigures as “CAR-01-097”, “CAR-01-163”, and “CAR-01-145”), or acommercial agent (“DEET”), was applied to human skin surface with abrush at a dose of 2.2 mg cream/cm². The “CAR-01-145” formulation wasapplied twice to human skin surface (“2X”). The skin surface was thenexposed to mosquitoes. As illustrated in FIG. 18, skin creamformulations of Blend 4, are effective in repelling mosquitoes for 2-3hours. Two applications of the Blend 4 skin cream formulation labeled as“CAR-01-145” formulation were as effective as a single application ofthe commercial agent in duration of repellency of mosquitoes. Thus, theresults indicate that a skin cream formulation containing a blend ofnatural ingredients can be employed as substitute for commercial blendscontaining synthetic ingredients in repelling mosquitoes.

Example 15 Use of Various Blends Containing Natural Ingredients forControlling Thrips

Various blends containing natural ingredients were studied for theability to control thrips. The various blends, denoted Blend 11B andBlend 8, were prepared and set aside. The compositions of the blends inweight percent format are provided below:

TABLE L Blend 11B from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt 68917-75-9 WintergreenOil 24.82% 110-27-0 Isopropyl myristate 35.94% 8007-46-3 Thyme Oil White39.27%

The composition of Blend 8 is as described in Example 8.

The blends were applied at various doses ranging from 100 ppm to 10,000ppm to a surface. Thrips were then introduced to the treated surfaces,and pest control was measured as the number of insects that were knockeddown or died upon introduction to the treated surface. The results areillustrated in FIG. 19. As shown, Blend 11B was effective in controllingthrips, as measured by % knockdown and % mortality, with higher dosesillustrating better efficacy.

Example 16 Efficacy of a Direct Spray Formulation Containing a Blend ofNatural Ingredients on Ticks

Various blends containing natural ingredients were studied for theability to control Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick). Thevarious blends, denoted Blend 1 (referred to in the figures as “CL17”),11A (referred to in the figures as “25b/4a”), 8 (referred to in thefigures as “25b/4b”), DKSH/TT 1 (Blend 11A in 4% (v/v) pyrethrum),DKSH/TT 2 (Blend 12 in 4% (v/v) pyrethrum) and DKSH/TT 3 (Blend 19 in 4%(v/v) pyrethrum), were prepared and set aside. The compositions of theblends in weight percent format are provided below:

TABLE M Blend 1 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt Thyme Oil White 3.30%Lilac Flower Oil 4.40% (LFO) Lime Oil (as 10.0% exemplified in Blend 65)D-Limonene 82.3%

TABLE N Blend 12 from Oils CAS Description Wt/wt Vanillin  2.48%D-Limonene  9.90% Piperonal (aldehyde)  9.97% Geraniol Fine FCC 10.30%Linalool Coeur 14.14% Tetrahydrolinalool 24.29% Isopropyl myristate28.92%

The compositions of Blends 11A and 8 are as described in Example 8. Thecomposition of Blend 19 is as described in Example 12.

Each blend was administered directly to ticks placed on a surface, where1 mL of blend was applied from a spray nozzle located 18 inches from thesurface. Blends 1, 11A and 8 were tested at a final concentration of 30%(v/v), while the “DKSH” blends were tested at a final concentration of4% (v/v) for each of Blends 11A, 12 and 19. The kill number of ticks wasthen assessed for each blend at 30 minutes and 4 hours post-spray. Theresults are illustrated in FIG. 20. Blends 1 (“CL17”), DKSH/TT 1 andDKSH/TT 3 were effective in killing ticks within 30 minutespost-exposure, while Blend 11A (“25b/4a”) exhibited high killingefficacy within 4 hours of exposure.

Example 17 Comparison of Residual Activity of Various Blends of NaturalIngredients with a Commercial Agent

The residual activity of various blends containing natural ingredientswere compared against that of a commercial agent (“Sergeant's Nature'sGuardian Natural Flea and Tick”) for the ability to control DermacentorAndersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick). Two blends, Blends 11A (referredto in the figures as “25b/4a”) and 8 (referred to in the figures as“25b/4b”), were prepared and set aside. The composition of the blendsare as described in Example 8.

The blends or commercial agent were applied to blood filled membranesinfested with ticks, where each blend contained a final concentration of6.1% (v/v) of active ingredient. Kill counts were then assessed at 30minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours after exposure. The results areillustrated in FIG. 21 and show that the Blends 11A (“25b/4a”) and 8(“25b/4b”) are as effective or more effective than the commercial agent.Thus, the results indicate that the blends containing naturalingredients, as disclosed herein, can be substituted for a commercialagent in controlling ticks.

Example 18 Fractionation of a Plant Essential Oil and Screening forFractions with Potential Activity Against a Target Pest

An improved insecticide based on a insect-repelling plant essential oilis generated by screening separated fractions of the plant essential oilagainst the Drosophila Tyramine receptor, Dro-TyrR, and then recombiningfractions with higher specific competitive binding ability to Dro-TyrRthan the plant essential oil. This is performed in the following steps.

PCR Amplification and Subcloning of Drosophila melanogaster TyramineReceptor Gene

To generate Drosophila cells in culture expressing the cell-surfacetyramine receptor for the purposes of screening the plant essential oilfractions, the tyramine receptor is first amplified from Drosophilamelanogaster head cDNA phage library that is obtained through theBerkeley Drosophila Genome Project (www.fruitfly.org). Phage DNA ispurified from this library using a liquid culture lysate as described inLech (2001) “Preparing DNA from small-scale liquid lysates” In: Ausubel,J. G., Smith, J. A., Struhl, K. (Eds.), Current Protocols in MolecularBiology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, pp. 1.13.7. Briefly, gene specificprimers used to amplify the open reading frame of the Drosophilatyramine receptor (TyrR) are designed based on the published dro-TyrRsequence by Saudou et al., (1990, Genbank accession # X54794; proteinaccession# “CAA38565”). These gene specific primers consist of the 5′oligonucleotide: 5′gccgaattcATGCCATCGGCAGATCAGATCCTG3′ (SEQ ID NO. 1)and 3′oligonucleotide: 5′taatctagaTCAATTCAGGCCCAGAAGTCGCTTG 3′ (SEQ IDNO. 2). Capitalized letters match the tyramine receptor sequence. The 5′oligonucleotide also contains an EcoR I site and the 3′ oligonucleotidea Xba I site restriction sites that are indicated by underlinednucleotides. PCR is performed using Vent polymerase (New EnglandBiolabs) with the following conditions: 95° C., 5 min for 1 cycle; 95°C., 30 s; and 70° C., 90 s for 40 cycles; and 70° C., 10 min for 1cycle. The PCR product is digested with EcoR I and Xba I, subcloned intopCDNA3 and sequenced on both strands by automated DNA sequencing(Vanderbilt Cancer Center). The open reading frame contained in this PCRproduct encodes a protein of 601 amino acids with a predicted molecularmass of −64 KDa. Based on alignment comparisons using DNA Star SoftwareProgram, both sequences of dro-TyrR(Saudou et al., 1990, supra) and thecurrent TyrR are essentially identical, except one residue at location261 which is cysteine (C) in the dro-TyrR sequence (accession# CAA38565)and tyrosine (Y) in the current TyrR sequence. Hydropathy analysis bythe method of Kyte and Doolittle, with a window of 9 amino acids,indicates seven potential transmembrane spanning domains. See Kyte andDoolittle, (1982) J. Mol. Biol. 157:105-132. The BLAST analysis alsoindicates that the cloned Drosophila melanogaster TyrR is most similarto other biogenic amine receptors.

TyrR is essentially identical to tyr-dro receptor, a tyramine receptorfrom the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (Saudou et al., 1990, supra),and to the same sequence, also designated as oct/TyrRreceptor (accessionP22270) Arakawa, et al., (1990) Neuron 2:343-354. Protein alignmentindicates the cloned TyrR is 66% identical to Amtyrl (Blenau, et al.,(2000) J. Neurochem. 74:900-908), 48% identical to both Tyr-Loc 1 andTyr-Loc2 (Vanden Broeck, et al., (1995) J. Neurochem. 64:2387-2395), 49%identical to c. elegans-Tyr2 (Rex, et al., (2002) J. Neurochem.82:1352-1359), 50% identical to Tyr-Bombyx mori (Ohta, et al., (2003)Insect Mol. Biol. 12(3):217-223), 56% identical to Tyramine receptorfrom Anopheles gambiae (Genbank, 2003, accession number EAA07468), 29%identical to locus OAR2 (Gerhardt, et al., (1997) Mol. Pharmacol.51:293-300), 27% identical to Pa oa₁, an octopamine receptor fromPeriplaneta americana (Bischof, et al., (2004) Insect Biochem. Mol.Biol. 34:511-521), and 32% identical to human α2B adenoreceptor(Lomasney, et al., (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:5094-5098).

For expression in Drosophila Schneider S2 cells, the tyramine receptor(TyrR) open reading frame contained in the PCR product described aboveis excised from pCDNA3 and inserted into pAc5.1/V5-His B (pAC) using theEco RI and Xba I restriction sites, generating the expression plasmidpAc5.1/V5-His B-tyramine receptor (pAC-TyrR).

Cell Culture and Transfection

Drosophila Schneider 2 (S2) cells, lacking endogenous tyramine receptor(Vanden Broeck et al., 1995; Van Poyer et al., 2001), are used in thecurrent study for stable transfection and expression of tyraminereceptor that is amplified from Drosophila melanogaster head cDNA phagelibrary. In this regard, cells are grown in Schneider's DrosophilaMedium containing 10% heated-inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS).Medium is supplemented with 50 Units penicillin G/ml, 50 μg streptomycinsulfate/ml. For stable transfection, Drosophila S2 cells are transfectedwith pAc5.1N5-His B-tyramine receptor (pAC-TyrR) using the calciumphosphate-DNA coprecipitation protocol as described by InvitrogenDrosophila Expression System (DES) manual. The cells are maintained andgrown at room temperature (23° C.) in the same medium supplemented withselection agent (25 μg blasticidin/ml medium). Ten clones of stablytransfected cells are selected and separately propagated. Clonal celllines are selected and assayed for receptor expression with whole cellbinding by incubating 1×10⁶ cells in 1 ml insect saline buffer (170 mMNaCl, 6 mM KCl, 2 mM NaHCO₃, 17 mM glucose, 6 mM NaH₂PO₄, 2 mM CaCl₂,and 4 mM MgCl₂) with 4 nM ³H-tyramine for 20 min at 23° C. Cells arepelleted by centrifugation, washed once with insect saline, and thentransferred to scintillation vials. Nonspecific binding is determined byincluding 100 μM unlabeled-tyramine in the reaction. The clone of cellsstably transfected with pAC-TyrR that demonstrates the highest bindingaffinity to ³H-tyramine is propagated for use in identifying improvedagents against a target pest. In all exemplary embodiments, S2 cellstransfected with pAc5.1/V5-His B (pAc5.1; the parent vector lacking thetyramine receptor gene) are treated in parallel as negative controls.

For pharmacological binding experiments, membrane fractions from theclone of stably transfected Drosophila S2 cells demonstrating thehighest binding affinity to ³H-tyramine are isolated and analyzed todetermine total, nonspecific and specific binding of ³H-tyramine (FIG.23). To first isolate membranes, Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells grown inDrosophila media are harvested in the same media by scraping from thedishes and then rinsing dishes with PBS. The cells are centrifuged at1000 g for 3 min, washed once with PBS and centrifuged again aspreviously described. The cells are suspended in ice cold hypotonicbuffer (10 mM Tris-Cl, pH 7.4), incubated on ice for 10 min, and lysedusing a glass dounce homogenizer and tight glass pestle (Kontes GlassCo., Vineland, N.J.) with 10 strokes. Nuclei are pelleted bycentrifugation at 600 g for 5 min. The supernatant is decanted andcentrifuged at 30,000 g for 30 min to pellet a crude membrane fraction.The pellet is suspended in binding buffer (50 mM Tris-Cl, 5 mM MgCl₂, pH7.4). Protein concentration is determined by the Bradford Assay (Bio-RadLaboratories, Hercules, Calif.). Membranes are frozen on dry ice thenstored at −75° C. in aliquots.

To then assay total, specific, and nonspecific binding of ³H-tyramine,radioligand binding is performed in 500 μl binding buffer containing10-50 μg membrane protein and 4 nM ³H-tyramine. The binding reaction isincubated at 23° C. in the presence and absence of 10 μM unlabeledtyramine. Reactions are terminated after 60 min by addition of 3 ml icecold binding buffer and filtered over GF/C filters that have been soakedfor 30 min in 0.3% polyethylenimine. Filters are rinsed one additionaltime with 3 ml binding buffer.

For the determination of K_(d) and B_(max), a range of ³H-tyramine isused from 0.1 to 30 nM, and 10 μM unlabeled tyramine is used as acompetitor to determine nonspecific binding. The K_(d) and B_(max) forspecific binding are determined to be 2.557 nM and 0.679 pmolreceptor/mg membrane protein, respectively. Membrane fractions fromDrosophila S2 cells stably transfected with the empty pAc5.1 do notdemonstrate specific binding. The high affinity binding of ³H-tyramineby the membrane expressing TyrR indicate this is a suitable ligand to beused for competition binding experiments.

The affinity of potential natural ligands of TyrR is determined in acompetitive binding assay with ³H-tyramine and five biogenic amines(FIG. 24 and Table O). Tyramine (TA) has the lowest K_(i) (1.27 μM) forDrosophila TyrR followed by DL-octopamine (OA; 28.68 μM). The decreasingorder of affinity for the biogenic amines is TA>OA>dopamine(DA)≧serotonin (SE)>histamine (His). These values are about the same asthose obtained for tyr-dro (Saudou et al., 1990, supra). The affinity ofTA is about 22.58 fold higher than DL-octopamine for TyrR. These resultstherefore indicate that TA is the endogenous ligand for the cloned TyrR.The affinity of various other biogenic amine receptors antagonists istested to determine the pharmacological profile of TyrR. The testeddrugs demonstrated a potency rank order of decreasing affinity asfollows: yohimbine>phentolamine>chlorpromazine>mianserine (Table O).

TABLE O Chemical Agents K_(i) (μM) Biogenic amines Tyramine (TA) 1.27 ±0.08 Octopamine (OA) 28.68 ± 0.78  Dopamine (DA) 57.47 ± 3.91  Serotonin(SE) 89.45 ± 9.01  Histamine (His) 193.50 ± 16.8  Other ligandsYohimbine 0.071 ± 0.001 Phentolamine 0.125 ± 0.020 Chlorpromazine 0.193± 0.050 Mianserine 0.280 ± 0.030 Inhibition constants of biogenic aminesand certain receptor antagonists for competitive binding to TyrR. Theinhibition constant (Ki) was determined using membranes from SchneiderDrosophila cells that expressed TyrR. The Kis are reported as mean +standard deviation. ANOVA indicated statistically significantdifferences (p < 0.05) between all pairwise comparisons of biogenicamine Kis as well as other ligands kis.

This potency order of tested drugs is in agreement with the potencyorder described by Saudou et al., (1990), supra. Yohimbine is identifiedas specific antagonist for tyramine receptor from Drosophilamelanogaster (Saudou et al., 1990, supra; Arakawa et al., 1990, supra)and Bombyx mori (Khan, et al., (2003) Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol.52:7-16). The pharmacology of this receptor does not agree with any ofthe other biogenic amine receptors cloned from Drosophila or in otherinsect species. In particular, the octopamine receptor cloned fromPeriplaneta americana, Pa oa₁ or from Drosophila melanogaster, OAMB(Bischof and Enan, 2004, supra), or octopamine receptor characterized invarious insect preparation Evans (1981) J. Physiol. 318:99-122; Dudai,et al., (1982) J. Neurochem. 38:1551-1558; Guillen, et al., (1989) LifeSci. 45(7):655-662), did not display an affinity rank order similar tothe current data.

Fractionation of an Insect-Repellent Plant Essential Oil

To generate fractions an insect-repellent plant essential oil to screenagainst the Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells, a sample of a plant essentialoil is fractionated by column chromatography. A preparative-scalegravity column containing 90-230-mesh silica gel adsorbent in 5%acetonitrile/95% hexanes is first prepared by mixing a slurry of silicagel in 5% acetonitrile/95% hexanes and transferring the slurry into aglass chromatography column. The slurry is allowed to settle and thesolvent allowed to drain from the column until its level reaches the topof the silica gel. On top of the packed silica, a 5-ml volume of theplant essential oil is gently added. The column is allowed to drainuntil the level of the loaded plant essential oil reaches the top of thesilica. Two column volumes of 5% acetonitrile/95% hexane elution solventare then loaded into the top of the column, and the column is allowed todrain by gravity flow, while 5-ml fractions are collected. When theelution solvent nearly reaches the top of the silica, the column is theneluted stepwise with 1 column volume each of 10% acetonitrile/90%hexane, 20% acetonitrile/80% hexane, 30% acetonitrile/70% hexane, 40%acetonitrile/60% hexane, and 50% acetonitrile/50% hexane, while 5-mlfractions are collected throughout. The volume of the collectedfractions is reduced to approximately 500 μl each with rotaryevaporation.

Competitive Tyramine Receptor Binding Assay

Aliquots of the plant essential oil column fractions are then screenedagainst the Drosophila tyramine receptor using the competitive tyraminereceptor binding assay. To perform this assay, membranes containingDro-TyrR are first isolated from Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells generatedas described above. All steps are performed at 4° C. or on ice.Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells grown in Drosophila media are harvested inthe same media by scraping from the dishes and then rinsing dishes withPBS. The cells are centrifuged at 1000 g for 3 min, washed once with PBSand centrifuged again as previously described. The cells are suspendedin ice cold hypotonic buffer (10 mM Tris-Cl, pH 7.4), incubated on icefor 10 min, and lysed using a glass dounce homogenizer and tight glasspestle (Kontes Glass Co., Vineland, N.J.) with 10 strokes. Nuclei arepelleted by centrifugation at 600 g for 5 min. The supernatant isdecanted and centrifuged at 30,000 g for 30 min to pellet a crudemembrane fraction. The pellet is suspended in binding buffer (50 mMTris-Cl, 5 mM MgCl₂, pH 7.4). Protein concentration is determined by theBradford Assay (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). Membranes arefrozen on dry ice then stored at −75° C. in aliquots.

The effect of the plant essential oil or fractions thereof on tyraminebinding by the tyramine receptor is then determined by incubating 10-50μg membrane protein and 4 nM ³H-tyramine with various dilutions ofeither the plant essential oil or a specific fraction thereof, andrepeating the incubation, termination and detection steps of the assay.Binding data is analyzed by Scatchard plots using the software GraphPadPrism (San Diego, Calif.), using the log of the reciprocal dilutionfactor of the plant essential oil or specific fraction as a proxy forthe exact molar concentration of the tested competitive ligand. Allbinding analyses are performed 3 times with duplicate samples in eachassay.

Intracellular Calcium Assay

When a ligand binds to a biogenic amine receptor, this results inG-protein-mediated activation of Phospho-Lipase C (PLC), which cleavesphospho-inositol phosphate (PIP2) to form diacyl-glycerol (DAG) andinositol triphosphate (IP3). Increased cytoplasmic concentrations of IP3induce release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum. An pest controlchemical, such as deltamethrin (DM), can affect signaling downstream ofthe biogenic amine receptor. To screen fractions of the plant essentialoil for their ability to activate receptor-mediated increases inintracellular calcium levels, the fluorescence of thecalcium-responsive, cell permeant dye Fura-2 AM in Dro-TyrR-expressingS2 cell samples is measured following incubation of the cells with eachof the fractions. In Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells pre-incubated withFura-2 AM, a sharp increase in Ca²⁺-bound Fura-2 AM fluorescence isobserved shortly after the addition of 1 μM tyramine (FIG. 25). Thisresponse is dependent on TyrR, as no Ca²⁺ increase is observed in cellstransfected with control plasmid pAC lacking the TyrR gene. To performthis assay with the plant essential oil fractions, S2 cells stablytransfected with pAC-TyrR are grown in culture dishes, washed once withinsect saline, collected by scraping, and suspended at 1×10⁶ cells/ml ininsect saline buffer with 5 μM Fura-2 AM. Cells are incubated at 23° C.for 1 hr in the dark, centrifuged, suspended in 1 ml insect salinebuffer, and used immediately for calcium measurements. The fluorescenceof Ca²⁺-bound Fura-2 AM is measured as a function of time following theaddition of a sample of a specific plant essential oil fraction. Controlcells given the same treatment, except for the presence of a plantessential oil fraction, are tested in parallel. A spectrofluoremeterwith Felix software from Photon Technology International (Lawrenceville,N.J.) is used for the fluorescence measurements and data collection.Cells are also incubated with the plant essential oil in parallel tocompare calcium release induced by the unfractionated oil with thatinduced by specific fractions. Four separate trials for each test sampleare performed. Data are normalized by dividing each value by thebackground fluorescence at the beginning of the assay before adding thetest sample.

To determine if an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ in response to celltreatment with a plant essential oil fraction is specifically mediatedby the tyramine receptor, the Fura-2 AM fluorescence assay is repeatedwith S2 cells transfected with pAC, therefore lacking the endogenoustyramine receptor, as described above. The plant essential oil fractionsthat induce an increase in Ca²⁺-bound Fura-2 AM in Dro-TyrR-expressingS2 cells, but not in cells lacking TyrR, contain ingredients whichspecifically effect tyramine receptor signaling.

Receptor-Mediated cAMP Production Assay

Aliquots of the plant essential oil column fractions are also screenedfor their ability to modulate tyramine receptor-mediated activation ofcAMP production.

Twenty four hours before cell treatment, 300,000 cells from thepAC-TyrR-stably transfected S2 cell line demonstrating the highestbinding affinity to ³H-tyramine and control (untransfected) cells areplated in 1 ml media with 25 μg blasticidin/ml into 12 well dishes (4.5cm²). For cell treatment, the media is aspirated and 1 ml PBS with 300μM IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) and the test reagent is added. Foreach column chromatography fraction of the plant essential oil, cellsare incubated at 23° C. in the presence and absence of the fraction. Asample of cells is also incubated with the unfractionated plantessential oil in parallel. After 10 min incubation, the PBS is aspiratedand cells are incubated with 70% ethanol for 12 hours at −20° C. Thecellular debris is centrifuged, and then the supernatant is removed andlyophilized to dryness. The amount of cAMP in the extract is determinedby using a cAMP binding protein from the ³H-cAMP Biotrak Assay System(Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.) as per the manufacturer'sinstructions. Cell treatment is performed 3 times with duplicates ateach concentration. Specific tyramine receptor-mediated activation ofcAMP production by individual plant essential oil fractions is indicatedby a lack of cAMP production in control untransfected cells givenidentical treatment. To determine the levels of cAMP produced in thecell independent of increases in intracellular calcium, the cells areincubated with 20 μM BAPTA/AM to chelate the intracellular calcium 10min before the addition of TA.

Example 19 Generating an Improved Agent Against a Target Pest bySelective Recombination of Plant Essential Oil Fractions

Fractions of plant essential oils that are screened for their ability tobind and activate the Drosophila tyramine receptor as described inExample 18 are recombined according to their specific activity.Fractions with specific activity that are elevated as compared to theunfractionated oil are recombined, while fractions with lower ornegligible specific activity compared to the unfractionated oil are notrecombined with other fractions, or are recombined in proportionallysmaller quantities. The activity of the recombined fractions in thecompetitive inhibition tyramine binding assay, intracellular calciumrelease assay, and cAMP production assay, each of which is described inExample 18, is compared to that of the unfractionated oil to confirmthat the specific activity of the agent is increased followingfractionation and recombination.

Example 20 Determining Toxicity Against Drosophila melanogaster Fly

Insects and Test Agents

Drosophila melanogaster (wild type) is purchased from CarolinaBiological Supply Company (Burlington, N.C.). The tyramine receptormutant)(TyrR^(neo30)) Drosophila melanogaster is obtained fromBloomington Drosophila Stock Center (stock# BL-10268). The mutant fliesare constructed in which the insertion of a single P transposableelement has caused a mutation in tyramine receptor; their phenotypeincludes olfaction defects. See e.g., Cooley, et al., (1988) Science,239, 1121-1128. The responsible transposon is reported asP{hsneo}TyrR^(neo30), BDGP:1(3)neo30 as described on the flybase website(hyper text transfer protocol atflybase<dot>bio<dot>indiana<dot>edul<dot>binifbidq<dot>htm?FBA10011043.Both Drosophila strains are maintained under standard laboratoryconditions.

Toxicity Against Drosophila melanogaster Fly

To determine whether the cellular changes in pAC-TyrR cell model(clone#2) in response to treatment with unfractionated or fractionatedand recombined essential oils correlate with their insecticidalactivity, a toxicity bioassay is performed against the wild typeDrosophila melanogaster fly. Solutions of unfractionated or fractionatedand recombined plant essential oils are prepared at various dilutions inacetone and applied to flies by topical application. Three replicates,with 5 flies per replicate, are used for each concentration. Controlflies are treated with the same volume (0.5 μl/fly) of acetone. Data aresubjected to probit analysis to determine LD₅₀ value for each chemicalas described in Finney (1971) Probit analysis, 3^(rd) edn. CambridgeUniversity Press, London, 333. To determine whether the tyraminereceptor is involved in the toxicity of tested plant essential oils,tyramine receptor mutant (TyrR^(neo30)) Drosophila melanogaster strainis topically treated with a dose equivalent to the determined LD₅₀ forwild type strain. The mortality is calculated 24 hrs after treatment.Three replicates and 5 insects per replicate are used for the bioassayof each chemical. This bioassay is repeated five times.

Example 21 Identification and Screening of Compounds in Plant EssentialOils to Determine Active Ingredients for Generating Improved AgentsAgainst a Target Pest

The compounds in a plant essential oil or specific fraction thereof areidentified by analysis on a mass spectrometer linked directly to agas-chromatography column (GC-MS). Each compound is identified by itscharacteristic mass spectrum, which matches a fingerprint mass spectrumin a library of such spectra that is a standard component of massspectrometer analysis software.

The compounds identified in a plant essential oil or fraction thereofare obtained from commercial chemical suppliers and screened againstDrosophila S2 cells expressing the tyramine receptor using theintracellular calcium release assay, as described in Example 18. In thiscase, fluorescence of Ca²⁺-bound Fura-2 AM in Dro-TyrR-expressing S2cell samples is measured following incubation of the cells with one ofthese specific compounds, instead of a plant essential oil fraction. Thefinal concentration of each compound in the cell samples is between 10pM and 10 μM. Control cells tested in parallel are given the sametreatment, but are not incubated with a test compound. Four separatetrials for each test compound are performed. Data are normalized bydividing each value by the background fluorescence at the beginning ofthe assay before adding the test compound.

Example 22 Comparison of Competitive Inhibition of Tyramine Binding toTyramine Receptor by Compounds Identified in Plant Essential Oils

Compounds that trigger specific tyramine receptor-mediated changes inintracellular Ca²⁺ levels are tested for their ability to interact withthe tyramine receptor by examining their ability to competitivelyinhibit tyramine binding by the tyramine receptor, as described inExample 18. Plasma membranes from Dro-TyrR-expressing S2 cells areisolated as described. The effect of each specific compound on tyraminebinding by the tyramine receptor is then determined by incubating 10-50μg membrane protein and 4 nM ³H-tyramine with individual compounds, andrepeating the incubation, termination and detection steps of the assay.Control experiments are performed with membrane protein and 4 nM³H-tyramine alone to determine the fraction of tyramine bound to thetyramine receptor in the absence of an added compound identified in theplant essential oil. Binding data is analyzed by Scatchard plots usingthe software GraphPad Prism (San Diego, Calif.). All binding analysesare performed 3 times with duplicate samples in each assay. The degreeto which individual compounds inhibit tyramine binding correlates withthe affinity that the compounds have for the tyramine receptor.

Example 23 Insect Toxicity of Specific Compounds Identified in a PlantEssential Oil

The insect toxicity of specific, isolated compounds identified in aplant essential oil is tested in Drosophila melanogaster using thetoxicity test described in Example 20. Solutions of individual compoundsobtained after their identification in a plant essential oil areprepared in acetone and applied to individual flies by topicalapplication. Three replicates, with 5 flies per replicate, are used foreach concentration. Control flies are treated with the same volume (0.5μl/fly) of acetone. Data are subjected to probit analysis to determineLD₅₀ value for each chemical as described in Finney (1971) Probitanalysis, 3^(rd) edn. Cambridge University Press, London, 333. Todetermine whether the tyramine receptor is involved in the toxicity oftested compounds, tyramine receptor mutant (TyrR^(neo30)) Drosophilamelanogaster strain is topically treated with a dose equivalent to thedetermined LD₅₀ for wild type strain. The mortality is calculated 24 hrsafter treatment. Three replicates and 5 insects per replicate are usedfor the bioassay of each chemical. This bioassay is repeated five times.

Example 24 Generation of an Improved Agent Against a Target Pest byCombining Individual Compounds Identified in a Plant Essential Oil

Two or more compounds that are identified in a plant essential oil andthat exhibit toxicity against fruit flies in the assay described inExample 23 are combined to form a mixture. The ability of this mixtureto induce intracellular Ca²⁺ release is tested using the Ca²⁺ releaseassay described in Example 18, and is compared to the activity of theunfractionated plant essential oil. The concentrations of the compoundsare varied to determine the proportions that produce the greatestincrease in intracellular Ca²⁺ release over the unfractionated plantoil. These combinations of compounds are then tested in the toxicityassay to determine their lethality to Drosophila relative to eachindividual compound.

Example 25 Generation of an Improved Agent Against a Target Pest byCombining Individual Compounds Identified in Different Plant EssentialOils

Two or more compounds that are identified in different plant essentialoils and that trigger receptor-specific toxicity against fruit flies inthe assay described in Example 23 are combined to form a mixture. Theextent to which this mixture is able to trigger tyraminereceptor-activated intracellular Ca²⁺ release is tested using the Ca²⁺release assay described in Example 18, and is compared to the activityof each unfractionated plant essential oil in which the compounds areidentified. The concentrations of the chemical derivative or analogcompounds are varied to determine the proportions that produce thegreatest increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ release over unfractionatedplant oil. These combinations of compounds are then tested in thetoxicity assay to determine their lethality to Drosophila relative toeach individual compound and relative to the unfractionated plant oil.

Example 26 Screening of Chemical Derivatives or Analogs of an ActiveIngredient Compound of Plant Essential Oils

Chemical derivatives and analogs of compounds identified and tested asdescribed in Examples 21-23 are obtained and screened for their abilityto mediate tyramine receptor-activated intracellular Ca²⁺ release inmultiwell assay plates. Fluorescence of Ca²⁺-bound Fura-2 AM inDro-TyrR-expressing S2 cell samples is measured following incubation ofthe individual cell samples with one of these specific compounds. Thefinal concentration of each compound in the cell samples is between 10pM and 10 μM. Control cells tested in parallel are given the sametreatment, but are not incubated with a test compound. Four separatetrials for each test compound are performed. Data are normalized bydividing each value by the background fluorescence at the beginning ofthe assay before adding the test compound. S2 control cells that do notexpress the tyramine receptor (stably transfected with the pAC vectornot containing the Dro-TyrR gene) are tested in parallel to determinetyramine receptor specificity of increases in intracellular Ca²⁺triggered by test compounds.

Example 27 Generation of an Improved Agent Against a Target Pest byCombining Chemical Derivatives or Analogs of Compounds Identified in aPlant Essential Oil

Two or more chemical derivatives or analogs of compounds that triggerreceptor-specific toxicity against fruit flies in the assay described inExample 26 are combined to form a mixture. The level of tyraminereceptor-activated intracellular Ca²⁺ release that is triggered by thismixture is determined using the Ca²⁺ release assay described in Example18, and is compared to the level of receptor-activated intracellularCa²⁺ release triggered by the unfractionated plant essential oil inwhich the parent compounds were identified. The concentrations of thechemical derivative or analog compounds are varied to determine theproportions that produce the greatest increase in intracellular Ca²⁺release over the unfractionated plant oil. These combinations ofcompounds are then tested in the toxicity assay as described in Example23 to determine their lethality to Drosophila relative to eachindividual compound and relative to the unfractionated plant oil.

Example 28 Generation of an Improved Agent Against a Target Pest byCombining Chemical Derivatives or Analogs of Compounds Identified inDifferent Plant Essential Oils

Two or more chemical derivatives or analogs of compounds that areidentified in different plant essential oils and that triggerreceptor-specific toxicity against fruit flies in the assay described inExample 25 are combined to form a mixture. The extent to which thismixture is able to trigger tyramine receptor-activated intracellularCa²⁺ release is tested using the Ca²⁺ release assay described in Example18, and is compared to the activity of each unfractionated plantessential oil in which the parent compounds were identified. Theconcentrations of the chemical derivative or analog compounds are variedto determine the proportions that produce the greatest increase inintracellular Ca²⁺ release over the unfractionated plant oils. Thesecombinations of compounds are then tested in the toxicity assay todetermine their lethality to Drosophila relative to each individualcompound and relative to each unfractionated plant oil. An improvedinsecticide based on a insect-repelling plant essential

The various methods and techniques described above provide a number ofways to carry out the invention. Of course, it is to be understood thatnot necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achievedin accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods can beperformed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or groupof advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otherobjectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. A varietyof advantageous and disadvantageous alternatives are mentioned herein.It is to be understood that some preferred embodiments specificallyinclude one, another, or several advantageous features, while othersspecifically exclude one, another, or several disadvantageous features,while still others specifically mitigate a present disadvantageousfeature by inclusion of one, another, or several advantageous features.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the applicability ofvarious features from different embodiments. Similarly, the variouselements, features and steps discussed above, as well as other knownequivalents for each such element, feature or step, can be mixed andmatched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods inaccordance with principles described herein. Among the various elements,features, and steps some will be specifically included and othersspecifically excluded in diverse embodiments.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certainembodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the embodiments of the invention extend beyond the specificallydisclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses andmodifications and equivalents thereof

Many variations and alternative elements have been disclosed inembodiments of the present invention. Still further variations andalternate elements will be apparent to one of skill in the art. Amongthese variations, without limitation, are the at least two activeingredients selected for the pest control composition, the target pest,and the amounts of the various ingredients present in the pest controlcomposition. Various embodiments of the invention can specificallyinclude or exclude any of these variations or elements.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspracticable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of theinvention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

In some embodiments, the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similarreferences used in the context of describing a particular embodiment ofthe invention (especially in the context of certain of the followingclaims) can be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Therecitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations on those preferred embodiments will become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Itis contemplated that skilled artisans can employ such variations asappropriate, and the invention can be practiced otherwise thanspecifically described herein. Accordingly, many embodiments of thisinvention include all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printedpublications throughout this specification. Each of the above citedreferences and printed publications are herein individually incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that can be employed can be within thescope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention can be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention are not limited to that precisely as shown anddescribed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition for controlling a target pestcomprising 0.1% to 4% isopropyl myristate, 0.1% to 15% thyme oil white,0.1% to 2% geraniol and at least one additional active ingredientselected from the group consisting of thymyl acetate, linalyl acetate,amyl butyrate, anise star oil, black seed oil, p-cymene, linalool,d-limonene, isopropyl myristate, lilac flower oil, methyl salicylate,alpha-pinene, piperonal, piperonyl alcohol, tetrahydrolinalool, thymeoil white, thyme oil red, thymol, vanillin, and wintergreen oil, whereinthe composition causes synergistic control of the target pest, andwherein the target pest is an ectoparasite.
 2. The composition of claim1, wherein the at least one additional active ingredient is selectedfrom the group consisting of piperonal, linalool, d-limonene,tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin.
 3. The composition of claim 2, whereinpiperonal is present within a range of 2%-25%, tetrahydrolinalool ispresent within a range of 6%-22%, and vanillin is present within a rangeof 0.3%-1.5%.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein isopropyl myristateis present within a range of 0.1% to 3%.
 5. The composition of claim 1,wherein thyme oil white is present within a range of 0.1% to 10%.
 6. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein isopropyl myristate is present within arange of 0.1% to 3% and thyme oil white is present within a range of0.1% to 10%.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the at least oneadditional active ingredient is selected from the group consisting oflinalool, d-limonene, piperonal, tetrahydrolinalool, and vanillin. 8.The composition of claim 7, wherein piperonal is present within a rangeof 2% to 25%, tetrahydrolinalool is present within a range of 6% to 22%,and vanillin is present within a range of 0.3% to 1.5%.